1) SEASONAL AVIAN RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (20 needed) late Feb or early Mar through Aug for multiple research projects focusing on ecology and management of songbirds, primarily the federally endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler, across several regions of Texas, on public and private lands. Duties may include presence-absence bird surveys, point counts, nest searching, behavioral observation, territory mapping, vegetation sampling, arthropod sampling, deploying nest cameras, mist netting, banding birds, maintenance of field equipment, data entry, and others, depending on the project and region. Project and region assignments to be determined based on qualifications and skills.
Requirements: experience or course work in wildlife biology or closely related field; ability to collect data with strong attention to detail; ability to work 6+ days per week doing physically demanding work, with early mornings (0500); a positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, mountain lions, cows, poison ivy, normal daily temperatures of over 90̊F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain; ability to operate 4X4 trucks; patience and focus to quietly observe and follow birds; good eyesight and hearing; ability to work independently and in groups; must be comfortable working on a military base or private land and interacting with landowners; flexibility to changes in protocol or job assignments; must supply your own binoculars. Preference will be given to applicants with experience: identifying birds by sight and sound, nest searching, mist-netting and handling birds, identifying plants, navigating using handheld GPS unit, using Microsoft Access, Excel, ArcMap; possess a B.S. or B.A. in wildlife biology or closely related field. Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are identified. Pay: $700-800 every 2 weeks, depending on experience. Housing will be provided; facilities will vary depending on project and region. Some camping may be required during the term of employment.
Please visit (URL: http://irnr.tamu.edu/RAMSES/) for more information about the variety of projects for which we are filling positions. Please write “RAMSES job application” in the subject line of your email. Include your last name in the file attachment. Submit cover letter detailing your qualifications, resume (including GPA), and contacts for 3 references (preferably email address) in 1 attachment to: (EM: ramsesirnr@gmail.com).
2) FIELD ASSISTANTS – I am seeking three individuals to help with an investigation of the movement and survival of Missouri’s endangered Greater Prairie-Chicken. This position will be available in Mar 2011. Work includes capturing, banding, habitat assessment, radio-tracking, nest monitoring, and brood counts. Applicants must be willing to spend 8-10 hours in a telemetry truck on a regular basis. Applicants must also be physically fit and capable of working long hours in hot and humid conditions. Night work will be required. An interest in working with endangered species and an ability to work alone are important. Previous experience with radio-telemetry is strongly preferred. Shared housing and a reasonable salary will be provided. Please email a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for 3 references (name, phone, email) to KAYLAN KEMINK (EM: gpch2010@gmail.com) by 15 Dec 2010.
3) VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANTS (3): behavioral ecology of lance-tailed manakins in Panama. Four positions are available 15 Feb to 20 Jun 2011 for an ongoing behavioral study of female mate choice in lance-tailed manakins (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) in Panama. Females of this small, lekking bird “shop” among males that display in cooperative pairs on dispersed display territories. The successful applicant will be involved in work investigating questions such as how indirect genetic benefits affect female mate choice, why dominant males tolerate subordinate cooperators, and how male experience affects display performance. Responsibilities will include resighting color-banded birds, daily maintenance of an automated telemetry system, conducting many hour-long behavioral observations at display sites, extensive radio-tracking, nest-searching through dense secondary-growth dry tropical forest, and mistnetting birds for banding and blood sampling, as well as data entry and organizational tasks. Experience in one or more of these areas is strongly preferred. Applicants should have a very strong interest in animal behavior, birds, and field biology. The field crew of four people will live and work on a remote island off of Panama's Pacific coast and share one-room housing, and can expect to have no internet access and poor cell phone reception for up to two weeks at a time: experience working in isolated field settings and/or living in close quarters is highly desirable. Conversational Spanish ability is strongly preferred for this position. Applicants should be enthusiastic, physically fit, and emotionally grounded. Expect to work long days (6am-6pm six days a week), be woken at 4 am by howler monkeys on a regular basis, and see some amazing bird behavior. Upon successful completion of the field season, assistants will be reimbursed for round-trip airfare to Panama (max of $1000) and will receive a one-time $500 stipend to help defray any personal costs of participation. Food, housing, and required transportation within Panama will be provided. For more information on the research, see (URL: http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty-duval.php). To apply, send: 1) coverletter explaining your motivation and suitability to work on this project, 2) resume, and 3) email and phone numbers of three references familiar with your field skills, personality, and motivation to: DR. EMILY DUVAL, Florida State University Department of Biological Science, (EM: ehduval@gmail.com). Please use the subject line “Lance-tailed Manakin field assistant application.” Review of applications will continue until positions are filled.
Requirements: experience or course work in wildlife biology or closely related field; ability to collect data with strong attention to detail; ability to work 6+ days per week doing physically demanding work, with early mornings (0500); a positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, mountain lions, cows, poison ivy, normal daily temperatures of over 90̊F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain; ability to operate 4X4 trucks; patience and focus to quietly observe and follow birds; good eyesight and hearing; ability to work independently and in groups; must be comfortable working on a military base or private land and interacting with landowners; flexibility to changes in protocol or job assignments; must supply your own binoculars. Preference will be given to applicants with experience: identifying birds by sight and sound, nest searching, mist-netting and handling birds, identifying plants, navigating using handheld GPS unit, using Microsoft Access, Excel, ArcMap; possess a B.S. or B.A. in wildlife biology or closely related field. Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are identified. Pay: $700-800 every 2 weeks, depending on experience. Housing will be provided; facilities will vary depending on project and region. Some camping may be required during the term of employment.
Please visit (URL: http://irnr.tamu.edu/RAMSES/) for more information about the variety of projects for which we are filling positions. Please write “RAMSES job application” in the subject line of your email. Include your last name in the file attachment. Submit cover letter detailing your qualifications, resume (including GPA), and contacts for 3 references (preferably email address) in 1 attachment to: (EM: ramsesirnr@gmail.com).
2) FIELD ASSISTANTS – I am seeking three individuals to help with an investigation of the movement and survival of Missouri’s endangered Greater Prairie-Chicken. This position will be available in Mar 2011. Work includes capturing, banding, habitat assessment, radio-tracking, nest monitoring, and brood counts. Applicants must be willing to spend 8-10 hours in a telemetry truck on a regular basis. Applicants must also be physically fit and capable of working long hours in hot and humid conditions. Night work will be required. An interest in working with endangered species and an ability to work alone are important. Previous experience with radio-telemetry is strongly preferred. Shared housing and a reasonable salary will be provided. Please email a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for 3 references (name, phone, email) to KAYLAN KEMINK (EM: gpch2010@gmail.com) by 15 Dec 2010.
3) VOLUNTEER FIELD ASSISTANTS (3): behavioral ecology of lance-tailed manakins in Panama. Four positions are available 15 Feb to 20 Jun 2011 for an ongoing behavioral study of female mate choice in lance-tailed manakins (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) in Panama. Females of this small, lekking bird “shop” among males that display in cooperative pairs on dispersed display territories. The successful applicant will be involved in work investigating questions such as how indirect genetic benefits affect female mate choice, why dominant males tolerate subordinate cooperators, and how male experience affects display performance. Responsibilities will include resighting color-banded birds, daily maintenance of an automated telemetry system, conducting many hour-long behavioral observations at display sites, extensive radio-tracking, nest-searching through dense secondary-growth dry tropical forest, and mistnetting birds for banding and blood sampling, as well as data entry and organizational tasks. Experience in one or more of these areas is strongly preferred. Applicants should have a very strong interest in animal behavior, birds, and field biology. The field crew of four people will live and work on a remote island off of Panama's Pacific coast and share one-room housing, and can expect to have no internet access and poor cell phone reception for up to two weeks at a time: experience working in isolated field settings and/or living in close quarters is highly desirable. Conversational Spanish ability is strongly preferred for this position. Applicants should be enthusiastic, physically fit, and emotionally grounded. Expect to work long days (6am-6pm six days a week), be woken at 4 am by howler monkeys on a regular basis, and see some amazing bird behavior. Upon successful completion of the field season, assistants will be reimbursed for round-trip airfare to Panama (max of $1000) and will receive a one-time $500 stipend to help defray any personal costs of participation. Food, housing, and required transportation within Panama will be provided. For more information on the research, see (URL: http://www.bio.fsu.edu/faculty-duval.php). To apply, send: 1) coverletter explaining your motivation and suitability to work on this project, 2) resume, and 3) email and phone numbers of three references familiar with your field skills, personality, and motivation to: DR. EMILY DUVAL, Florida State University Department of Biological Science, (EM: ehduval@gmail.com). Please use the subject line “Lance-tailed Manakin field assistant application.” Review of applications will continue until positions are filled.