Avian Conservation Service Member

Position duration: October 10, 2022 – August 26, 2023

We are looking for a KUPU Service Member to participate in a variety of activities associated with the East Hawaii Wildlife Program with the state of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW).  We are based out of Hilo, Hawaii but work at a variety of locations, mostly high elevation  (4000'-6000') across Hawaiʻi Island. Duties include various resource management and monitoring activities associated with native bird conservation focusing on endangered species such as the ʻAkiapolaʻau (Hemignathus wilsoni), ʻAlawī (Loxops mana), ʻĀkepa (Loxops coccineus), ʻAlalā (Corvus hawaiiensis), ʻAkeʻake (Oceanodroma castro), ʻIo (Buteo solitari and Uaʻu (Pterodroma sandwhichensis). The main project of this service member will to be join a 4 person avian malaria team. Activities will include mosquito sampling and bird banding from mist-nets to collect avian blood samples. They will also assist on various other projects as needed from botulism surveys of waterfowl, tagging and tracking of our native hawk and identifying birds by sight and sound for forest bird point count surveys.  Also they will assist with seabird management including nocturnal surveys, remote sensing, and predator control.  Habitat management techniques include small mammal monitoring and trapping, mosquito monitoring, fence-building and native plant seed collection and out-planting of rare native species.   Throughout the year, service members will be exposed to a great variety of conservation management activities and field sites.

The successful applicant will possess ability to work independently, at high altitudes, in cold and rainy or hot and dry conditions.  We regularly work out of primitive camps in remote locations.  Ability to work around and fly in approved helicopters.

Benefits include:

Earn a $2000 monthly living allowance (subject to taxes)

Earn a $6,495 Education Award (similar to a scholarship) towards higher education upon completion of hours

Opportunity for interest earned on certain educational loans (during the service term) to be paid for by AmeriCorps

Complete over 1700 hours of environmental community service

Health care and childcare benefits (if eligible)

Receive an in-depth entry-level environmental experience from an agency that interests you

Develop a strong relationship and serve side-by-side with a single site manager for ~10 months

Help protect Hawaii’s natural resources and make a positive impact in your community!

Most field equipment 

An opportunity to work in Hawaiian forests and gain field experience in avian conservation with highly endangered species and in ecosystem management and exposure to many conservation partners in Hawaii.

To apply and for more information about the Kupu Americorps position, please see: https://kupuhawaii.tfaforms.net/262. Priority deadline to apply is July 29. Two letters of recommendation are required. Please indicate “Bird”  as your topic of interest or "Hawaii Island - Department of Land and Natural Resources - Division of Forestry and Wildlife - Avian (B, E, G,I)" as your preferred site on your application. This is a position supported by the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife and US AmeriCorps and administered by KUPU Hawaii. The position will be co-supervised by the East Hawaii Wildlife Biologist and the Avian Malaria project lead through DOFAW, based in Hilo.

Applicants must provide their own airfare to Hilo, Hawaii, if applicable and find their own housing.

If you have any further questions please email alex.x.wang@hawaii.gov or call 808-937-7924. 

This is a separate position from the recent 6 month kupu position we recently posted, this position will overlap with the other Kupu for part of its term.