Avian Field Assistants (Pennsylvania)

Description

AVIAN FIELD ASSISTANTS (10-14) needed early April – Late July (2016) to monitor Golden-winged Warbler and American Woodcock in privately- and publicly-owned forests. April and early-May surveys will consist of evening counts of American Woodcock on the singing grounds, while mid-May-June surveys will focus on morning passerine surveys and vegetation sampling.

Technicians must be happy to measure vegetation characteristics, enter data, and perform other field activities as these things will also be important for the field crew to function.

Housing with 1-3 other technicians and field vehicles, fuel will be provided.

Please send a cover letter highlighting your related field experience, a resume, your earliest starting date, and contact information of three references to: D.J. McNeil and Kirsten Johnson at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (email: darin.j.mcneil@gmail.com,ke.johnson1987@gmail.com)

Qualifications

Qualified candidates will possess strong skills for identifying native birds by sight and sound and be familiar with the process of conducting point counts. Although American Woodcock and Golden-winged Warblers will be the focus of our surveys, technicians must be able to identify all birds encountered during passerine surveys. Point count experience is greatly preferred, however, Eastern bird identification experience is a must.

Successful applicants should have the ability to measure vegetation characteristics, enter data, and perform other field activities, however training will be provided.

Strong applicants will also have a passion for spending early mornings (and some late evenings) observing birds, be physically fit and capable of working in a rugged forested setting (with insects, poison ivy, etc.).

The ability to communicate with private land owners and public land managers, navigate using GPS, and work well in teams (especially paired with a partner) is also a must

Contact Person

Kirsten Johnson

Contact eMail

ke.johnson1987@gmail.com