JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Project Manager: Golden-cheeked Warbler Citizen-Science Monitoring Program Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, San Antonio-Austin Area, Texas
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) seeks applicants for a temporary full-time manager position to initiate a citizen-science monitoring program focused on the golden-cheeked warbler (GCWA) in central Texas. The position will recruit and manage volunteer monitors and participating landowners, provide training in field methods, and establish sampling stations and related databases. The position location is to be determined within the San Antonio-Austin area of central Texas. DUTIES: The successful candidate will immediately develop and implement a pilot project for the upcoming GCWA breeding season. The project will initiate a long-term and sustainable monitoring program, in order to determine trends in distribution, abundance, habitat use, and breeding success of the GCWA across its breeding range. We propose to integrate with and expand upon intensive studies of the GCWA that were begun by Texas A&M University (TAMU) in 2003, and which were enlarged to include a range-wide monitoring program during 2008. GEAA has already started volunteer recruitment and landowner contact in support of the project. Position objectives include: 1. Develop a grassroots citizen-science network throughout the GCWA range in central Texas. 2. Coordinate closely with both GEAA and TAMU project staff. 3. Implement a volunteer (citizen scientist) program for GCWA trend assessment. 4. Recruit and manage volunteer monitors and participating landowners. 5. Train volunteers and establish monitoring plots for collecting GCWA occurrence data. 6. Create and maintain databases for volunteers, landowners, and bird checklist data, including quality control. 7. Develop recommendations for improving trend assessment of GCWA by citizen scientists. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS: A working knowledge and demonstrated experience with ornithology or birding checklist data, GPS, volunteer management, basic computer skills (MS Office suite, etc.), and field ecology are required. Experience with habitat typing and plant identification, including the ability to learn the bird species and woody flora of central Texas, is also required. Successful candidates are expected to be conscientious self-starters capable of team leadership, independent work, project organization, and timely project completion. CONDITIONS: Applicants should be capable of vigorous physical activity (e.g., working long hours outdoors in hot, cold, rainy, and buggy weather; able to hike with a 40-pound pack across uneven terrain), and prepared to travel extensively in central Texas. Though a longer term may be desirable, a minimum commitment of two months is required. The normal work week will consist of five eight-hour days. This position will start as soon as possible, with those available to start immediately given preference. The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Use of a personal vehicle will be required, with mileage compensated. Health insurance is included. Lodging, meals, and other benefits are not included. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please apply immediately, since applications have priority in order of receipt. We expect to fill the position to start not later than early March 2009. Please direct any questions, or requests for further information, to Dr. Tom Hayes (see below). Email applications are preferred. Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of three references to: Dr. Tom Hayes. Email: [email protected] Surface mail: P.O. Box 684881, Austin, TX 78768. Office telephone: 512-477-2320, Fax: 512-477-6410, Webpage: www.aquiferalliance.org.
