SEASONAL POSITIONS - SONGBIRD RESEARCH TECHNICIANS (3) – 1 BANDER and 2 POINT COUNTERS
Shan Duncan
Description: Come study songbird behavioral ecology in the shrublands of Illinois as part of a Ph.D research project from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am looking for three (3) motivated, organized and detail-oriented field technicians with a strong work ethic to help assist with a playback experiment investigating social information use for habitat selection by Yellow Warblers and other shrubland songbirds.
Positions begin ~15 April 2014 and run through mid-to-late July 2014, but position dates are negotiable. Students unavailable until May are encouraged to apply. Two positions (Bander and point counter) are available in northern Illinois with housing provided. One position (point counter) is available in east-central Illinois where housing may be provided. Salary is $10.50/hour on a 40-hour work week. Transportation to and from field sites will be provided. All field technicians must have a valid driver’s license, be able to work independently, endure trying field conditions (e.g., heat, biting insects), and be flexible with their work schedule.
Point Counter Responsibilities: Point counters independently conduct daily point-counts at multiple sites, assist with set-up, take-down and basic maintenance of playback equipment, and enter data in Excel. Point counters will also routinely assist the bander and myself with banding Yellow Warblers and performing behavioral observations. Applicants must be able to identify songbirds by sight and sound. Applicants with previous point count experience will be given high priority, but individuals who quickly learn bird identifications and have a passion for avian ecology are encouraged to apply.
Bander Responsibilities: Bander will be responsible for actively and passively banding Yellow Warblers at multiple sites. Banders will at times work alone and must be comfortable setting up mist nets and banding songbirds independently. Bander will also conduct routine point counts and assist with set-up, take-down and basic maintenance of playback equipment, but to a lesser extent than general technicians. Applicants should have bird banding experience as well as some familiarity with northern shrubland songbirds. Applicants with previous experience at banding stations, handling small songbirds and banding independently will be given high priority.
To Apply: Please specify the position you are applying to. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Please send applications via e-mail (preferred) or regular mail with a short cover letter stating your interest in the job and prior experience, a resume, and the names and contact information (phone numbers and e-mail addresses) of three references to: JANICE KELLY, UIUC – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Turner Hall W-512A, 1102 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801. Please e-mail questions to Janice Kelly (EM:jkke...@illinois.edu).