Joshua Sands

Experience

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  Apex Middle School

  Aug 2012 - Jun 2013

  Webmaster

  Used HTML and CSS to create and manage website for local middle school.

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  J&J Boat Services

  May 2015 - Aug 2016

  Boat Technician

  Washed and dried exterior of boats, waxed the metal to remove rust, hand waxed the fiberglass of the boat, removed scuffs on boat.

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  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

  Aug 2017 - Apr 2018

  Biological Intern - Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge

  Biological Research-Identified wildlife using camera traps-Created graphs based on past camera trap data-Provided vegetative samples of Florida Key tree cactus cuttings-Set trapping grids for small mammalsEndangered Species-Excavated unhatched American crocodile nests-Conducted bucket camera trapping for silver rice rats-Built nests for endangered Key Largo woodratsInvasive Species-Set up live traps for feral cats-Controlled plants with herbicide -Used cover boards to locate and collect invasive New Guinea flatworms-Searched for and captured Burmese Pythons-Surveyed for African Rock pythons-Monitored camera traps for looking for invasive water monitor-Conducted trapping for tegus-Captured Cuban knight anolesConservation Outreach-Organized outreach event to teach students about butterfly conservation-Built nursery for pineland croton Show less

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  Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center

  May 2018 - Aug 2018

  Wildlife Ecology Research Technician

  Biological Research-Used grids to trap for small mammals such as cotton rats, cotton mice, southern flying squirrels, etc.Ear tagged captured small mammals. Took measurements and weights for captured small mammals. Collected biological samples from small mammals. Identified species and sex of small mammals.-Evaluated giving up densities experiments to determine foraging behaviors and predation risks for small mammals and deer.Biological Surveys-Conducted point count surveys to determine different types of bird species located in the surrounding area.-Preformed track count surveys to determine different type of mammal species in research area.-Evaluated vegetation surveys to determine the type of vegetation and cover available during giving up densities experiments.-Used camera traps to locate and trap for mesopredators.-Programmed song meters to record bird calls in an area for 12 hour periods.Maintained electric fences-Ensure fence was correct voltage-Used herbicide to keep fence clear of unwanted vegetation Show less

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  Student Conservation Association

  Oct 2018 - Oct 2020

  Invasive Wildlife Technician

  Green iguana management-Developed removal program for green iguanas -Organized and trained volunteers -Weighed, measured, and euthanized green iguanasBurmese python management-Captured and removed Burmese pythons-Used radio telemetry to track Burmese Python movements as part of Scout python project-Used R package to calculate python locations-Created maps to show Burmese python movements-Collected biological samples from Burmese pythons-Used burrow scope to search for Burmese pythons-Lead groups of volunteers on python patrols-Conducted night time road searches for pythonsPython detection dog-Using detection dog to survey for Burmese pythons-Provided care and husbandry for Burmese pythons for detection dog training useFeral cat management-Used camera traps to locate feral cats-Used live traps to remove feral cats from RefugeOther Invasive Species Management-Removed and treated invasive plants-Surveyed cover boards for rare herps and invasive flatworm monitoringAmerican crocodile management-Monitored American crocodile nests with remote cameras-Captured, weighed, measured and released hatchling crocodiles-Gave presentation on American crocodile to children at the YMCAOther Threatened, Endangered, and At-risk species management-Set up and downloaded information on humidity and temperature from data loggers in Key Largo woodrat nests-Used camera traps to estimate Key Largo woodrat and cotton mice populations-Surveyed for Schaus’ swallowtail butterflies-Planted host plants for Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly-Captured and released mangrove diamondback terrapins. Measured, weighed, pit tagged, and took biological samples of diamondback terrapins.-Maintained devices used to search for bonneted bats.Biological Research-Participated in Fish Surveys Show less

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  North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

  Oct 2020 - Nov 2020

  Mammalogy Research Technician

  Green iguana management-Organized and trained volunteers-Weighed, measured, and euthanized green iguanasBurmese python management-Captured and removed Burmese pythons-Used radio telemetry to track Burmese Python movements as part of Scout python project-Used R package to calculate python locations-Created maps to show Burmese python movementsPython detection dog-Using detection dog to survey for Burmese pythons-Provided care and husbandry for Burmese pythons for detection dog training useFeral cat management-Used camera traps to locate feral cats-Used live traps to remove feral cats from Refuge Show less

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  Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

  Dec 2020 - now

  Invasive Species Hotline- Provided technical assistance to members of the public on nonnative wildlife issues for the entire state of Florida.- Organized rapid responses for high priority invasive species reported to the hotline- Created detailed reports about calls and responses made to the hotline- Managed a network of volunteers throughout the state- Used ArcGIS Online to organize a map of responder locations- Researched information on rules, regulations, and species information to best help answer the public’s questions- Wrote SOP on Hotline OperationOutreach- Assisted teaching classes about safe capture of Burmese pythons- Participated as a check station operator for the Python ChallengeField Work- Participated in large constrictor surveys- Responded to local early detection rapid response incidents Trainings- Enrolled in multiple trainings to help improve knowledge of communication techniques Show less Python Action Team Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) - Management - Communicate with members of PATRIC in order to set up remote check ins, coordinate in person drop offs and pick ups, and get feedback on the program.- Conduct remote checks in to get measurements and weights on Burmese Pythons captured by members of the PATRIC program.- Enter data of pythons in database.- Label photos for captured pythons with an unique ID and enter them into databaseMercury Testing- Took muscle tissue samples from Burmese Pythons for mercury testing- Prepared mercury samples for transportation to testing facility- Maintained two excel databases for the project keeping track of current samples and pythons yet to be sampledHusbandry- Took care of outreach and training animals including Burmese Pythons, Ball Python, Black and White Tegu, Corn Snake, North African Rock Python, Red Tail Boa, and Water Monitor.- Ensured Cages were cleaned frequently- Prepared meals for regular feedings- Designed enrichment- Kept logs of husbandry actions taken with notes about animal behaviors- Kept inventory of food for animals in carePython Detection Dogs- Frequently went out on Burmese Python surveys using Detection Dogs- Provided trainings for Detection Dogs- Recorded weather data, distance surveyed, and other field notes- Created schedules to determine areas dogs would surveyHot Line- Answered public's call about wildlife interactions in all of Florida- Provided information and addressed any and all concerns members of the public may have- Organized responses and responded to calls as neededOther Field Work- Went on Chameleon Surveys- Participated in electrofishing- Responded to early detection rapid responses- Participated in seminars about South Florida wildlife- Operated Check Station during 2021 Python Challenge Show less

  • Invasive Species Hotline Coordinator

    Jan 2023 - now

  • Biological Scientist II

    Dec 2020 - Jan 2023