AVIAN FIELD TECHNICIAN – Southern Great Plains (Multiple Positions)

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

OVERVIEW

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is seeking experienced field technicians to conduct point counts throughout the Southern Great Plains, from northern Texas and eastern New Mexico up to the Nebraska panhandle for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) program. These positions represent an excellent opportunity to explore the Great Plains on both public and private lands in a mix of grassland and shrub habitats including short- and mixed-grass prairie, mesquite bosques, and riparian systems while advancing avian conservation at regional scales. The positions provide an opportunity to observe an impressive variety of species as you move across the study area, including Painted Bunting, Cactus Wren, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Burrowing Owl, Mississippi Kite, Scaled Quail, Golden-fronted Woodpecker, and Lesser Prairie-Chicken. The position will run from approximately April 15 and continue through late June.

Qualified candidates must be able to attend a mandatory 5 day paid training in mid-April. Upon successful completion of training, technicians will work independently conducting bird surveys. Survey work will include long days in the field and working a variable schedule.

Technicians must be able to identify all bird species found across the Southern Great Plains by sight and sound upon completion of training. Primitive camping, often without phone service or facilities will be required as well as some long days of travel between survey locations. Completion of job duties may periodically require long days in the field. Please visit the IMBCR webpage for additional information or check out this blog post to hear about the position from a previous Wyoming technician.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Applicants should be enthusiastic, physically fit, enjoy travel, and be willing to work long hours in the field. The

successful applicant will need to be comfortable hiking and surveying in areas with potentially hazardous wildlife

and weather conditions. Applicants must enjoy working independently with multiple days of solitude. The ability

to identify all avian species that breed in the Southern Great Plains by sight and sound is required. A valid driver's

license, proof of auto insurance, binoculars, camping gear, basic computer skills, a strong work ethic, and

enthusiasm for conservation and conducting fieldwork are necessary. Desired qualifications include experience

conducting point count surveys, experience camping, long distance hiking, and navigating in the backcountry.

Applicants with personal 4WD/AWD vehicles are encouraged to apply; however, Bird Conservancy may be able

rent vehicles for qualified applicants that do not possess 4WD/AWD vehicles if they are at least 21 years of age

and pass a motor vehicle background check.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Ability to identify avian species of the Southern Great Plains by sight and sound is required
• Driver’s license, proof of insurance, and experience driving 4WD vehicles is required
• Prior experience conducting avian point counts is highly desired
• Experience camping, long distance hiking, and navigating off-trail is highly desired
•  

To Apply:

Email a cover letter detailing your bird identification knowledge and dates of availability, a resume, and three references as a single PDF document to: Matt Smith at matt.smith@birdconservancy.org and Matthew McLaren at matthew.mclaren@birdconservancy.org. Applications will be reviewed in early January 2020 and positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found.

2021-Avian-Field-Technician-Southern-Great-Plains-Bird-Conservancy.pdf