AVIAN BIOLOGISTS (2) needed to assist with bird surveys and vegetation sampling in mixed-conifer, pine, pine-oak, and oak forests and woodlands in central and southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. We will use point counts to estimate occupancy, abundance, and richness of breeding birds to assess the impacts of wildfire and climate on vegetation, habitats, and bird communities in montane vegetation types. Field work will focus in the Mogollon highlands of central Arizona, Sky Islands of southeastern AZ (especially Rincon Mountains east of Tucson), and in the Ajos-Bavispe forest reserve in northern Sonora. Field training and surveys will occur from late April to mid-July. To be considered, applicants must have: 1) ability to traverse rugged (often off-trail) terrain and be in good physical condition, 2) knowledge of songs and calls of breeding highland southwestern birds, and 3) ability to conduct point counts identifying birds by both sight and sound. Experience with distance sampling, tree identification, and off-road driving is helpful, as is past experience with vegetation sampling. Ability to quickly learn new bird vocalizations and speak at least basic to intermediate Spanish will be helpful for field work in Mexico, and a valid passport is required. Successful applicants will need to be prepared to spend long days hiking and navigating in remote field settings in rugged terrain, begin work before dawn, camp for up to 9 days at a time, yet be rewarded by amazing scenery and new discoveries that accompany field work in areas that are seldom visited by naturalists. Applicants with positive, can-do attitudes that are capable of working well with others including staff from the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service are desired. Applicants must be willing to camp where necessary to do early morning field work, and carry a backpack with provisions on occasion. Field trips will be of 5-10 days in duration and be followed by 2-5 off days. Ability to use personal vehicle to rendezvous with field crew and field truck will be helpful at times and mileage reimbursement. Full time salary is ~$3250/month. Avian biologists will assist other team members with habitat work following point counts. To apply, send a brief cover letter and resume outlining your relevant experience and contact information for three references to Aaron D. Flesch at flesch AT ag.arizona.edu. Please reference “Avian biologist position” in the subject heading of emails.
HABITAT TECHNICIAN (1) needed to assist with habitat and vegetation sampling in mixed-conifer, pine, pine-oak, and oak forests and woodlands in central and southern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico. This project focuses on assessing the impacts of wildfire and climate on vegetation, habitats, and bird communities in montane vegetation types. Field work will be focused in the Mogollon highlands of central Arizona, Sky Islands of southeastern AZ (especially Rincon Mountains east of Tucson), and in the Ajos-Bavispe forest reserve in northern Sonora. Field training and survey work will occur from late April to mid-July. Applicants must have: 1) experience traversing rugged (off-trail) terrain and be in good physical condition, and have 2) past experience with vegetation sampling and skills in identifying tree and woody shrub species in montane systems. Ability to speak at least basic to intermediate Spanish will be helpful for field work in Mexico, and a valid passport is required. Successful applicants will need to be prepared to spend long days hiking and navigating in remote field settings in rugged terrain, begin work before dawn, camp for up to 9 days at a time, yet be rewarded by amazing scenery and new discoveries that accompany field work in areas that are seldom visited by naturalists. Applicants with positive, can-do attitudes that are capable of working well with others including staff from the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service are desired. Applicants must be willing to camp where necessary to do early morning field work, and carry a backpack with provisions on occasion. Field trips will be of 5-10 days in duration and be followed by 2-5 off days. Full time salary is ~$2900/month. To apply, send a brief cover letter and resume outlining your relevant experience and contact information for three references to Aaron D. Flesch at flesch AT ag.arizona.edu. Please reference “habitat tech position” in the subject heading of emails.