Temporary Migratory Songbird Technician - School of Natural Resources and the Environment

Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is currently accepting applications for a Temporary Migratory Songbird Technician. The research technician will be responsible for assisting a graduate student with field data collection and data entry. Field data collection includes mist netting, catching, and extraction migrating songbirds during the spring and fall migrations. The person should have experience handling birds and extracting them from nets. Additionally, the person should be knowledgeable about eastern forest tree ID, and how to collect forest structure measurements.

Technician will assist one graduate student gather data on stopover sites of migratory bird species in early-succession forests through mist-netting, vegetation sampling, and deployment of autonomous recording units (ARUs). Through collaboration with the Cornell Lab eBird Program and the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), this project aims to learn more about how passerines (songbirds) are using regenerating timber harvests as stopover sites during migration. Filling in the knowledge gaps of how migratory birds use forest harvested forest landscapes is important to identify potential best forestry practices.

What You'll Do

• Expected duties include driving several hours each day, hiking long distances off trail in mountainous terrain while carrying field equipment to sites, and identifying avian species by sight and sound.
• Other technician duties will include setting up and deploying ARUs for sites, setting up mist-nets, assisting in the banding/handling of live birds, and performing vegetation surveys. Interacting with private landowners and the public may be required.
• Field sites are remote and rugged with limited cell reception, although comfortable modern field housing will be provided.
• Field sites are close to the Monongahela National Forest as well as the New River Gorge National Park.
• Applicants should have a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and must be able to perform field work full time.
• Applicants must be able to hike with up to 40 lbs. of gear, for several miles off trails to sites if needed and be able to work efficiently in typical Appalachian spring/summer conditions.

Pay Grade: 10
Length of Assignment: 2 Months
Work Hours: 37.5 Hours per week

• Associates Degree
• 0-6 months experience identifying eastern songbirds by sight and sound, with emphasis on identification by songs and calls. High preference will be given to applicants with previous mist-netting experience and/or ability to reliably identify common regional species by song. Also preferred is experience with collecting structural habitat measurements (e.g., DBH, canopy cover, tree identification) but training will be provided.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least 3 references (must include email and phone number for each reference listed) by email to: cml0017@mail.wvu.edu

Salary: $14/hr @ 40hrs/wk (~$2,160/month) Shared housing and transportation to work is provided but technicians will need to have a vehicle for personal use.

Start Date: April 1, 2025"

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