FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT needed for investigation of the endangered endemic El Oro Parakeet, Pyrrhura orcesi, throughout its breeding season.

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FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT needed for investigation of the endangered endemic El Oro Parakeet, Pyrrhura orcesi, throughout its breeding season.

Location:
El Oro, Ecuador: Buenaventura Reserve and surrounding landscape

Duration:

Two terms:
15 November 2015 – 15 Feb 2016 (2 positions) & 15 Jan 2016 – 15 Apr 2016 (2 positions)

There will be the possibility for extension, for those arriving in November and enthusiastic about the work!

 

Photo courtesy of Anton Sorokin

Job Type:
Temporary

Application Deadline:
7 August 2015

Job Description:

(Por favor escríbame pidiendo cualquieres detalles que requiere. Inglés no es requisito para participación en este proyecto,   pero por motivos de brevedad no incluyo aquí la traducción completa.)

FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT needed for investigation of the endangered endemic El Oro Parakeet, Pyrrhura orcesi, throughout its breeding season. The project examines the impact of habitat fragmentation on this cooperatively breeding parakeet. As a final objective, the project aims to design a corridor protecting El Oros’ continued dispersal.

Fieldwork includes

*observing parakeet movement across the landscape

*gathering landscape data

*monitoring nestboxes

*nestbox trapping for measurement, banding, and sampling

*environmental education and surveying in the local community

Field team will be working in SW Ecuador, in Buenaventura Reserve and the adjacent habitat matrix. Work will occur in tropical montane cloud forest but principally in the pasture segments that now fragment it. This is a very physical job. It requires excellent fitness and the ability to cope with persistent rain, mud, steep slopes, and thorny vegetation. Climbing trees with a harness is an important part of monitoring and sampling protocol.  You will be instructed on safe use of the harness, and subsequently must be ready to assist in this part of the work. A high comfort level in Spanish will be highly valued. You should be prepared to look after yourself in field, including preparing food, a water bottle, adequate clothing for staying warm and dry, and necessary field equipment. You should be thorough, consistent, and reliable with taking notes in field. You should be responsible with regular data entry and regular data backup.

Position is unpaid. Accommodation, food, and transport associated with the project are covered under the project budget. The flight budget will be evenly divided between successful applicants, and will likely cover costs up to 600USD. Highly motivated assistants may be granted a stipend for significant additional flight costs during the course of the season.

Start and end dates are somewhat flexible. Daily schedule is entirely dictated by the weather and project needs, and is thus subject to constant modification. A typical day begins at or before dawn, and some days may last until 6 or 6.30pm. Free days will be scheduled, and I can make recommendations for places to visit; however their date of incidence will be dictated by the needs of the project.

To apply:
Applicants should send a letter of interest and CV with three references to Emma Steigerwald at emma.c.st...@gmail.com. The email subject should read ‘Research Assistant Application’. Applications should be submitted by 7 August 2015.

Qualifications:
*Willingness to work in rainy, cool, and muddy conditions

*Fitness—ability to cope with long field days traversing difficult and steep terrain

*Comfort in communicating in Spanish and working with children/youths will be valued

*Attention to detail in collecting, entering, and backing up reliable data on a regular basis

*Experience handling birds, reading colour ID bands, and using GPS will be valued

*Bachelor’s degree in biology or related major, attained or working towards