Avian Field Technicians (Nest searchers)

Avian Field Technicians (Nest searchers)

Location: Nantahala National Forest, Otto, NC

Job Category: Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Number of hires: 2

Salary: $14-15/hour; housing and work vehicles are provided.

Start Date: April 21, 2025

End Date: June 27, 2025

The Chandler and Rushing Labs are hiring 2 nest searchers to assist with a long-term study investigating the impacts of climate change on trailing-edge populations. This study is focusing on Black-throated Blue Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Canada Warblers, Veery, Ovenbirds, Slate-colored Juncos, Eastern Towhees, and Wood Thrush.

Primary Duties include:

·      Nest searching/monitoring

·      Banding of adults and nestlings

·      Insect surveys/leaf collection

·      Deploying nest cameras and camera grids

·      Some tagging of nestling and adult focal species with radio-transmitters

·      Some radio-telemetry

·      Vegetation sampling

·      Data entry

·      Other duties as assigned

Positions require good color vision, the ability to identify eastern birds by sight and sound, the ability to hike and navigate on and off trail, and work alone in rugged terrain and variable weather conditions, and an interest in avian ecology. Positions also necessitate attention to detail, self-motivation, and a positive attitude for long days (8-12 hours) in the field with biting insects.

Required Education and Experience:

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

·      Previous birding experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

·      Associate degree or higher in wildlife management or related field

·      Experience with passerine nest searching

·      Experience with mist-netting and handling of nestlings

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

Physical Demand:

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.

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 may be some weeks with fewer than 40 hours per week worked.

Application Instructions:

To apply, send a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for at least 3 references to Clay Delancey and Urvi Gupta at the following email address (btbw.uga@gmail.com). Please provide application materials in one PDF document titled “LastName_Coweeta_Application” and include “Seasonal Avian Ecologist – Nest Searcher Application” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and positions are open until filled. We are unable to sponsor visas for these positions (sorry!).