*Job Title:* Avian Field Technician
*Agency:* West Virginia University/U.S. Forest Service
*Location:* Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
*Job Category:* Temporary/Seasonal Position
*Salary:* ~$2,000/month for 4 months. Housing and a field vehicle provided.
*Start Date:* 04/09/2020
*Last Date to Apply:* 1/31/2020 (but applications are accepted and reviewed
on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply earlier)
*Description:* Seeking a highly motivated avian field technician to assist
with game bird surveys from April 15 to May 10, avian point count surveys
from May 15 to July 10, and post-breeding bird surveys from July 15 to Aug
15. The data will be collected as part of research on avian use of wildlife
openings in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. In addition,
the point count data will continue a 25-year dataset of breeding bird
surveys that is being used to assess long-term changes in avian communities
and abundance.
Fieldwork entails conducting evening modified singing-ground surveys for
American woodcock, morning modified drumming/gobbling surveys for ruffed
grouse and wild turkey, 10-minute morning point count surveys for breeding
songbirds, and morning transect surveys (and possibly mist-netting surveys)
for post-breeding songbirds. All survey protocols will be reviewed before
conducting the surveys, but the field technician should have prior
experience conducting point counts or identifying birds by sound.
Additional work will include deploying autonomous recording units and game
cameras, vegetation sampling, data entry, and data proofing. The technician
will be working closely with the supervisor, Hannah Clipp, or another
technician to access field site locations, but actual game bird and point
count surveys will be conducted alone. The technician should expect to work
6–8 hours per day; because we are counting birds, field days will start
early (before sunrise) and will involve work on weekends, with days off
during inclement weather. Free housing and a field vehicle will be
provided. The field technician should expect rugged housing accommodations
(just the basics, no Internet), ranging from bunkhouses and cabins to
campgrounds. First aid/CPR training and driver safety training will also be
provided at no cost to the field technician.
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume/CV (no page limit), and
contact information for 3 references to Hannah Clipp at hlclipp@mix.wvu.edu.
In your cover letter, please mention any experiences you have with birding,
camping, dealing with rugged field conditions, and/or navigating and
working alone in remote areas. Applications will be reviewed as they are
received.
*Qualifications:*
1. Ability to identify eastern USA birds by sound and sight (required),
as well as previous experience with avian point count surveys (preferred)
2. Earned (or are working towards) a Bachelor of Science degree in
wildlife science, natural resources, or a similar field
3. Ability to navigate in the field and deal with challenging,
difficult terrain (a lot of steep slopes)
4. Comfortable working alone in a remote outdoor setting
5. Ability and willingness to work in a two- or three-person team and
individually during early morning and late evening fieldwork
6. Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
7. Positive, upbeat attitude and strong work ethic
*Contact Person:* Hannah Clipp
*Contact Email:* hlclipp@mix.wvu.edu