Job Title: Colorado Riparian Bird Technician (1) Organization: Colorado State University
Location: Piceance Basin, NW Colorado Job Description: One field technician needed mid-May through early August 2016 to assist M.S. graduate student in the department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University. The research is focused on investigating the effects of an invasive tree on riparian bird habitat use and food web interactions. Fieldwork is located in the scenic and rugged Piceance Basin on Colorado’s western slope. Primary duties will vary throughout the summer but will include conducting bird point count surveys during early morning hours, passerine nest searching and monitoring, mist-netting, bird banding, taking weight and body measurements, fecal sample collection, aging/sexing using a Pyle guide, and riparian vegetation surveys. Applicants must have an interest in avian biology and conservation, strong bird ID skills, and some experience with passerine extraction from mist-nets and banding. Experience with or a desire to learn riparian vegetation identification is also helpful. Accommodation will be provided for the duration of the field season in a serviced mobile home parked on the picturesque High Lonesome Ranch, near the field site. The work schedule will consist of 10 days of fieldwork with 4 days off in between. A field vehicle will be provided during work hours but applicants may want a personal vehicle for use on days off. There will be the opportunity to return to Fort Collins, CO in the work vehicle during days off; however, housing is the responsibility of the technician on days off (outside of staying on site in the mobile home). Salary will be $1200-1500/month, depending on experience. This position provides the opportunity to work in beautiful riparian areas of western Colorado, contribute to conservation on private lands, enhance field research skill sets, and interact with researchers at CSU, a highly- respected institution for natural resources research. Preferred Skills and Personal Qualities: Competitive applicants will have some experience with passerine extraction from mist-nets and bird banding/processing (please include a clear statement of # birds extracted and/or banded). Strong applicants will additionally possess more than one season of bird survey experience, previous experience with nest searching and monitoring, or experience working in western riparian zones. Experience or strong interest in learning riparian bird identification and vegetation survey skills is essential. Desirable personal qualities include an ability to take initiative, attention to detail, adaptability, and ability to work long hours and live in a remote field setting. TO APPLY: Please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 references in a single PDF document named “applicant’s last name_Piceancebirds” to: Lani Stinson ([email protected]). Letters should highlight specific qualifications mentioned in the posting (i.e., mist-netting/banding, nest monitoring, bird and vegetation surveys, and personal qualities) AND include dates of availability. Feel free to get in touch via email with any questions regarding the position. Applications will be reviewed as received but will not be considered after 22 February 2016. Lab website: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/~liba/index.html
