IN-IDOH-Entomology Summer Intern temp contractor

Entomology Intern Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Division

Purpose of Position/Summary:
This position will assist the Indiana Department of Health arboviral surveillance program in monitoring vectorborne disease occurrence in arthropods in the State of Indiana. Intern duties will include collecting mosquitoes for virus identification using gravid light and resting traps designed for disease vector collection. The locations for these collections will be determined in consultation with the IDOH Entomology Director and regional Medical Entomologists. Successful applicants will also be trained on tick collection techniques and contribute to IDOH tick surveillance efforts. Each intern will receive training in mosquito identification and other tasks needed for their work during a training session at the IDOH Entomology Laboratory in Indianapolis.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
Collection of mosquitoes using various traps for arbovirus surveillance
Collection of ticks using the drag sampling technique.
Identification of specimens to species level using morphological characteristics

Job Requirements:
Students should be enrolled in any Indiana college or university.
Undergraduate graduate and professional students are welcome to apply.
Must agree to work for at least a 12week period of the project between May 13 2024 and August 2 2024.
Must have a valid Drivers license access to a reliable vehicle and be willing to drive the vehicle on state business. Travel will be reimbursed at $0.49 per mile.
Ability to perform basic laboratory skills such as identification of specimens using a microscope
Ability to work independently

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
NA

Difficulty of Work:
This job operates in all outdoor field conditions.
This job requires extensive walking through all environments while carrying surveillance equipment.

Responsibility:
Conducts tick drag sampling in assigned locations.
Identifies and prepares tick samples for pathogen testing.
Collects mosquitoes in assigned locations using various mosquito traps.
Identifies mosquitoes to species level and pools specimens for pathogen testing.

Personal Work Relationships:
Interns will be supervised by the Senior Medical Entomologist and will work closely with the Regional Medical Entomologists. Interns may occasionally liaise with personnel at local health departments.

Physical Effort:
Walking long distances while carrying surveillance equipment.
Ability to carry 25 lbs.
Ability to navigate through wooded environments.

Working Conditions:
Interns may be exposed to heat inclement weather biting arthropods and other conditions associated with outdoor summer field work.

Required/Desired Skills Skill Required /Desired Amount of Experience Must agree to work for at least a 12week period of the project between 5/15/2023 and 8/3/2023. Required 0 Must have valid Indianas drivers license. Required 0 Candidate must be local to Indiana. Required 0 Ability to perform basic laboratory skills such as identification of specimens using a microscope. Required 0 Ability to work independently. Required 0 Student must be enrolled in any Indiana college or university preferably in public health science/biology/entomology. Desired 0