We're Hiring!

Title: Salamander Research Field Assistant

Position Type: Student

Search Type: External - minimum 7 days

Department: 21R000 - Science, Tech, Engineering & Math

Division: 2R0000 - Academic Affairs

Position Location: Other EKU Location

Driver Classification: Driver

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hours Per Week: 20

Additional Schedule Details: Spring 2026

Posted Salary Grade: Minimum $8.00/hour

Contact Person: David Brown (david.brown@eku.edu)

Job Summary/Basic Functions

Project Description: This project will consist of a minimum of 7 nights per month (Mar-Nov) performing field surveys across Southeastern Kentucky. These will be late nights, likely finishing up around 2-3 AM. Each night, we will survey a minimum of 4 road cuts out of the 30 that need to be surveyed each month. (I can be flexible if you are only available 6 nights a month).

Surveys will consist of: 1) collecting environmental data and 2) performing visual scans of each road cut and documenting all species that are detected. Having 2 people will speed up this process as these duties can be divided between us.

The majority of time each night will be spent driving between road cuts. Applicants should have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving at night on unfamiliar, uneven, and winding country roads. We can share driving duties. We will be taking an EKU vehicle from campus each time we go out in the field.

Our base of operations will be at EKU’s Lilley Cornett Woods in Letcher County. However, some of the road cuts are considerable distances away. This means that some nights may be spent in hotels, or camping outdoors in summer.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Must be enrolled at EKU

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Open Until Filled: No

EEO Statement

Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts or any employment policy or practice.

Background Check Statement

Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.