Avian Field Technicians - Lead Banders

Title: Avian Field Technicians – Lead Banders

Location: Nantahala National Forest, Otto, NC

Job Category: Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Number of hires: 2

Salary: $15-17/hour depending on experience; housing and work vehicles are provided.

Start Date: April 16, 2025

End Date: July 1, 2025

The Chandler and Rushing Labs at UGA are hiring 2 crew leads to assist with a long-term study investigating the impacts of climate change on trailing-edge populations in the forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains. This study is focusing on Black-throated Blue Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Canada Warblers, Veery, Ovenbirds, Slate-colored Juncos, Eastern Towhees, and Wood Thrush. Technicians will be hired to fill certain positions, but they will have opportunities to assist with all aspects of the project.

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Description:

The lead bander will primarily work with a field assistant to operate 10, 12 m passive mist nets at different banding sites in the Nantahala National Forest (4 days/wk), where they can expect to handle 300+ birds from 30+ species. In addition to banding all individuals, they will color band, radiotag, and collect feather and fecal samples from focal species. They will also conduct independent point counts 1-2 days/week, help with data entry, and occasionally assist with other project duties, as needed, such as collecting nest monitoring cameras, radiotelemetry, and maintenance of Motus towers and nodes.

Experience with banding, mist net extraction, and taking morphometric measurements of small songbirds is required. Position also requires good color vision, ability to identify eastern birds by sight and sound, the ability to hike (on and off trail), navigate using a GPS unit, work alone in rugged terrain and variable weather conditions, and an interest in avian ecology. Experience tagging birds with radio transmitters and training new banders will make candidates more competitive but is not required.

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Education and Experience:

·     Some classes in Ecology, Biology, Wildlife, or related field.

·     Position requires good color vision, an interest in avian ecology, and the ability to hike and work alone in rugged and mountainous terrain and variable weather conditions.

·     Positions also necessitate attention to detail, self-motivation, and a positive attitude for long days (8-12 hours) in the field with biting insects.

·     Previous bird banding and mist net extraction experience

·     Ability to identify eastern bird species by sight and sound

Preferred Education and Experience:

·     Associate degree or higher in wildlife management or related field

·     Experience with tagging birds with radio-transmitters/motus tags

Physical Demand (all positions):

Technicians will be navigating dense mountainous terrain, carrying up to 25lbs of field equipment, sometimes before daybreak, and in areas inhabited by bears, feral hogs and venomous snakes.

All positions may be required to work regular overtime, which is time over 80 hours in a biweekly pay period, and will be paid at 1.5x your base pay rate. There will be some weeks with fewer than 40 hours per week worked.

Application Instructions:

To apply, send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for at least 3 references to Jennifer Brown (Jennifer.Brown1@uga.edu) and Cody Cox (codycox75@uga.edu). Please provide application materials in one PDF document titled “LastName_Coweeta_Application” and include “Seasonal Avian Ecologist – Lead Bander” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and positions are open until filled.