Updated 12/14/11
Field Technician for Least Tern and Wilson’s Plover Resighting
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Location: near Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC
Job Type: Full-time, temporary
Duration: 15 April-15 Aug, 2012.
Application Deadline: 15 Jan
Job Description: Assist graduate students in the 3rd year of a collaborative research project investigating the behavioral and demographic effects of military overflights on shorebirds. Focal species include Least Tern and Wilson’s Plover.
Primary duties include re-sighting color-banded Least Terns and Wilson’s Plovers. Additional duties may include surveying waterbird colonies.
Qualifications: B.S. in Wildlife Science or related field and previous field experience re-sighting color-banded birds. Experience surveying colonial waterbirds is preferred but not required. Successful applicant will be adaptable, detail-oriented, enthusiastic, and able to work and live harmoniously with others on a remote barrier island in Park Service housing. A valid driver’s license is required and experience operating 4WD vehicles, ATVs and boats is desired.
Salary: $400/week + free housing
Contact: Send cover letter and resume with academic background, work experience, and contact information for 3 references to Matthew Hillman (mhillman@vt.edu) and Audrey DeRose-Wilson (aderose@vt.edu), or mail application to Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech, 100 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321 (electronic applications preferred). Virginia Tech is an EO/AA employer.
PIPING PLOVER AND LEAST TERN FIELD CREW LEADERS (4 positions)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Location: near Vermillion, SD
Job Description: April 1, 2012 – August 31, 2012. Monitoring the population dynamics of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and least terns (Sterna antillarum) nesting on the Missouri River in South Dakota. Successful candidates will gain experience in the trapping and banding of two endangered species and in the navigation of the Missouri River. Field crew leaders will be working to improve conservation efforts for the piping plover and least tern.
Responsibilities: managing a crew of 3-4 technicians, trapping and banding birds, resighting banded birds, nest searching and monitoring, behavioral observations, invertebrate collection and identification, daily travel on small out-board motor boats, working closely with collaborating researchers, data organization and management.
Qualifications: bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field, prior experience in a leadership role, experience with boats, bird banding, shorebird identification skills, experience with avian capture methods and handling techniques, the ability to work as part of a team and keep a positive attitude through a variety of field conditions.
Salary: $640/week + free housing.
Please send a resume and contact information for three references to Kelsi Hunt at hunt0382@vt.edu. The positions will remain open until filled.
PIPING PLOVER AND LEAST TERN FIELD TECHNICIANS (10 positions)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Location: near Vermillion, SD
Job Description: April 1, 2012 – August 31, 2012. Monitoring the population dynamics of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) and least terns (Sterna antillarum) nesting on the Missouri River in South Dakota. Successful candidates will gain experience in the trapping and banding of two endangered species and in the navigation of the Missouri River. Field technicians will be working to improve conservation efforts for the piping plover and least tern.
Responsibilities: trapping and banding birds, resighting banded birds, nest searching and monitoring, behavioral observations, invertebrate collection and identification, daily travel on small out-board motor boats, working closely with collaborating researchers, data organization and management.
Qualifications: bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field, experience with boats, bird banding, shorebird identification skills, prior experience as a field technician or research assistant, experience with avian capture methods and handling techniques, the ability to work as part of a team and keep a positive attitude through a variety of field conditions.
Salary: $480/week + free housing.
Please send a resume and contact information for three references to Kelsi Hunt at hunt0382@vt.edu. The positions will remain open until filled.
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