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Currently I am employed by the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. As a Wildlife
Specialist/Nutria Trapper, I conduct direct control operations designed to
eradicate invasive nutria. I am part of a team that’s goal is to eradicate nutria to
protect threatened marshlands surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. Various types
of traps, firearms, and detection dogs are used to remove nutria from infested
areas. Nutria sign is readily distinguished from native wildlife species to
minimize likelihood of impacting non-target animals. Global Positioning
System (GPS) is used to navigate work areas and also to record capture
information that is then downloaded into a computer database using Arc View
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Trap and capture data are recorded on
field forms and entered onto Microsoft Access database, and MIS. Biological
data is collected for disease testing and DNA analysis, and necropsies are
performed on nutria. I also assist with various research efforts when needed
and aid with training new wildlife staff and volunteers in program and
trapping procedures.
Population census is conducted in areas to determine presence of nutria and
monitoring of previously trapped areas to protect against re-infestation by
nutria. Communication with landowners is a critical task as well. Field
activities are routinely conducted in inclement weather year round throughout
thousands of acres of marsh. Tidal marshes of the Chesapeake Bay can be a
very harsh environment to work, navigate and traverse. Breathable chest
waders and rain gear are worn for protection against the elements. Along with
the job comes experience using a 16ft aluminum john boat, propelled by either
outboard, pro-drive or beavertail motors; experience towing, trailering, and
launching watercraft; and use of ATV’s, canoes and kayaks to access marsh. As
part of a team, it is important to maintain good working relationships with my
peers, supervisor, workers from other agencies, private cooperators and the
general public. At all times federal laws (NEPA and the Endangered Species
Act) are complied with as they pertain to my work. Team members often work
alone in the field, each being responsible for a section of marsh. Team members
may be separated by miles of marsh allowing little or no contact with other
members. Thus, self reliance and organizing and completing assigned tasks
safely and efficiently while alone are achieved.
Besides taking part in the arduous field duties at hand, I also serve as Outreach
Coordinator for the nutria program; this involves increasing public knowledge,
awareness, and support for the nutria project; create educational days (wildlife
identification workshops, fieldtrips) for public to learn about nutria, develop
and distribute up to date information related to the nutria project including
Nutria ID brochures, web updates, Google maps, etc., work with partner
organizations to build and maintain or update project websites, fulfill
information requests from members of the public (students, etc.), manage
image library and determine unmet image needs for project multimedia
displays, identify venues for presentations and booth events, maintain
inventory of booth supplies, brochures and develop PowerPoint presentations,
develop and coordinate a speaker’s bureau.
My computer network support duties entail ensuring security of project data
and to maintain the efficiency of program computer network resources;
monitor network to ensure daily backups are successfully completed, ensure
network connectivity of all machines on network, troubleshoot network issues,
track inventory of laptop computers, aid coworkers with software updates and
computer problems, and prepare tutorials and Standard Operating Procedures
for common tasks required by project employees.
I partake with a myriad of other office-related and program activities. I am
serving on the planning committee for Mid-Atlantic States Meeting 2009
representing the state of Maryland. When time permits, I also participate in
various other wildlife damage management projects during temporary details.
This entails a number of wildlife-related projects that other Wildlife Services
offices may need assistance with, along with state and local projects.
During February of 2009 I engaged in a learning contract assignment with
Florida Wildlife Services; involved roof rat eradication on Egmont Key, feral
hog trapping on Avon Park Air Force Range, Mexican spiny-tailed iguana
trapping on Gasparilla Island, and so forth.
Specialist/Nutria Trapper, I conduct direct control operations designed to
eradicate invasive nutria. I am part of a team that’s goal is to eradicate nutria to
protect threatened marshlands surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. Various types
of traps, firearms, and detection dogs are used to remove nutria from infested
areas. Nutria sign is readily distinguished from native wildlife species to
minimize likelihood of impacting non-target animals. Global Positioning
System (GPS) is used to navigate work areas and also to record capture
information that is then downloaded into a computer database using Arc View
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Trap and capture data are recorded on
field forms and entered onto Microsoft Access database, and MIS. Biological
data is collected for disease testing and DNA analysis, and necropsies are
performed on nutria. I also assist with various research efforts when needed
and aid with training new wildlife staff and volunteers in program and
trapping procedures.
Population census is conducted in areas to determine presence of nutria and
monitoring of previously trapped areas to protect against re-infestation by
nutria. Communication with landowners is a critical task as well. Field
activities are routinely conducted in inclement weather year round throughout
thousands of acres of marsh. Tidal marshes of the Chesapeake Bay can be a
very harsh environment to work, navigate and traverse. Breathable chest
waders and rain gear are worn for protection against the elements. Along with
the job comes experience using a 16ft aluminum john boat, propelled by either
outboard, pro-drive or beavertail motors; experience towing, trailering, and
launching watercraft; and use of ATV’s, canoes and kayaks to access marsh. As
part of a team, it is important to maintain good working relationships with my
peers, supervisor, workers from other agencies, private cooperators and the
general public. At all times federal laws (NEPA and the Endangered Species
Act) are complied with as they pertain to my work. Team members often work
alone in the field, each being responsible for a section of marsh. Team members
may be separated by miles of marsh allowing little or no contact with other
members. Thus, self reliance and organizing and completing assigned tasks
safely and efficiently while alone are achieved.
Besides taking part in the arduous field duties at hand, I also serve as Outreach
Coordinator for the nutria program; this involves increasing public knowledge,
awareness, and support for the nutria project; create educational days (wildlife
identification workshops, fieldtrips) for public to learn about nutria, develop
and distribute up to date information related to the nutria project including
Nutria ID brochures, web updates, Google maps, etc., work with partner
organizations to build and maintain or update project websites, fulfill
information requests from members of the public (students, etc.), manage
image library and determine unmet image needs for project multimedia
displays, identify venues for presentations and booth events, maintain
inventory of booth supplies, brochures and develop PowerPoint presentations,
develop and coordinate a speaker’s bureau.
My computer network support duties entail ensuring security of project data
and to maintain the efficiency of program computer network resources;
monitor network to ensure daily backups are successfully completed, ensure
network connectivity of all machines on network, troubleshoot network issues,
track inventory of laptop computers, aid coworkers with software updates and
computer problems, and prepare tutorials and Standard Operating Procedures
for common tasks required by project employees.
I partake with a myriad of other office-related and program activities. I am
serving on the planning committee for Mid-Atlantic States Meeting 2009
representing the state of Maryland. When time permits, I also participate in
various other wildlife damage management projects during temporary details.
This entails a number of wildlife-related projects that other Wildlife Services
offices may need assistance with, along with state and local projects.
During February of 2009 I engaged in a learning contract assignment with
Florida Wildlife Services; involved roof rat eradication on Egmont Key, feral
hog trapping on Avon Park Air Force Range, Mexican spiny-tailed iguana
trapping on Gasparilla Island, and so forth.
| Wildlife Specialist/Nutria Trapper US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services (WS), Maryland (September 2006 to present) |
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