CATCH THE BUZZ – Help Wanted! BIP Technical Transfer Team Position.

The Bee Informed Partnership is seeking additional Technical Transfer Team members to work with commercial beekeepers in one of our 5 regions (location TBD). Teams will serve beekeepers in their home states as well as if/when they move their colonies to wintering grounds or into almonds in California. The salary range is $43,000-50,000 (based on experience) per year and will include full medical and retirement benefits.

The positions require at least 3 years beekeeping experience, preferably in a commercial beekeeping setting. It entails intense fieldwork at times, extensive travel, close interaction with beekeepers and many other members of the Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) team. These interactions require the applicant to be a good beekeeper, work well in a team environment, listen well, be non-judgmental, communicate effectively with team members, be self-starting, hardworking, organized and sensitive about privacy and security of all data collected. The job entails the following:

Field Work

• Be the primary contact between BIP and the commercial beekeepers to establish sampling goals, coordinate virus/pest/hygienic sampling and testing, present results, collect treatment and management data, and conduct operational reviews/surveys.
• Accurately, efficiently, and confidently, identify, diagnose, record, and report biotic and abiotic components of a honey bee hive through inspections and assessments
• Lift heavy honey supers to sample the broodnest during honey production
• Collect a wide range of samples from colonies to be tested for but not limited to the following: parasitic mites, Nosema, viruses, pesticides, reproductive potential and hygienic testing
• Work with and ship hazardous materials such as dry ice, liquid nitrogen, alcohol and live bees
• Have a clean driving record and be capable of safely operating a vehicle off road in a variety of ground conditions
• Travel is required, often to somewhat remote areas, occasionally with limited notice. On average, 5-8 trips are made each year with time spent away from home at or exceeding 60 days/year. Most of the trips involve considerable driving.
• At times, travel to assist other teams may be required. Not only does this help the hosting team, but it provides cross training across regions.

Lab and Administrative Work

• Work with BIP scientists to develop and conduct applied experiments, and industry trials.
• Keep and maintain beekeepers’ records, know how to manage of information
• Manage BIP lab space at the home institution, including purchasing supplies
• Manage own travel plans including reservations, receipts, etc.
• Keep records of receipts of purchases such gas, equipment, etc.
• Use in-field mobile applications for colony health assessment data entry. Be able to accurately locate yards based on GPS coordinates and record those locations.
• Responsible for the maintenance of the BIP field truck.
• Use of Google calendar is required for scheduling beekeeper visits, meetings, etc.

Communication

• Write a bi-weekly BIP blog.
• Develop presentations, posters and other media for the promotion of BIP programs and project related goals. Present at local, regional and national meetings when required.
• Contribute to quarterly BIP newsletter.
• Help develop training manuals, beekeeper guides and other outreach material as needed.
• Attend biweekly Tech Team video calls and other meetings when required.
• Attend twice yearly in-person meetings with the entire BIP team. One of these meetings is usually at the national conference in January and the other one is typically held in the summer.
• Keep abreast of and be able to communicate new developments in relevant topics (bee science, management, legislation, etc.)

General

• Willingness to adapt at a moment’s notice, enjoy a thrilling fast paced atmosphere, and have a passion for bees

Those interested should email a current resume and at least two references to: Anne Marie Fauvel, fauvelam@umd.edu

Application deadline is January 7th, 2019