Avian Monitoring Intern for Fall Migration

About Rocky Point Bird Observatory

Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) is a registered non-profit society governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. RPBO has conducted bird banding and related programs on southern Vancouver Island since 1994 and is a Canadian Migration Monitoring Network member station.

RPBO’s primary role is to monitor the population trends, productivity, and survivorship of migratory songbirds in coastal British Columbia through daily abundance surveys and bird banding. Through standardized bird surveys and banding, we hope to continue to gain insight into the long-term conservation of western Canada’s migratory birds and to conserve Canada’s flora and fauna for future generations to enjoy.

Position overview

RPBO is seeking highly motivated individuals to join our fall migration monitoring team as avian monitoring interns. The internship will provide the successful applicants with the technical skills and knowledge invaluable for future ornithological work especially that related to Canada’s migratory birds. Under the direction of the bander, the interns will learn how to identify birds by sight and sound, how to safely hold and extract birds from mist nets, and how to band and process birds including ageing and sexing individuals. Each of these important skills is needed to effectively collect data as part of RPBO’s constant effort mist-netting and line transect protocols to monitor migratory birds.

In addition to field work, the interns will learn how to enter and manage data, and how to use the software required for data submission by North American banders. The interns will also be

involved in administrative and management aspects of banding station operations, including managing volunteers, preparing habitat assessment reports, and assisting with public demonstrations.

Working conditions

The interns will typically work five days per week for 7–8 hours per day starting 45 minutes before sunrise. As such, daily start and end times will change over the course of the season. Optional assignments may be available to offset closures or shortened workdays due to bad weather or other extenuating circumstances. Accommodation is not provided but RPBO can offer help with finding suitable accommodation.

Skills and experience

Required

• A keen interest in birds.
• Comfortable handling live birds.
• Comfortable working outdoors under a wide range of weather conditions.
• Good attention to detail.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Own transportation to the migration monitoring sites (public transit is not available).
• Have no impediment to working on restricted federal sites which includes CFAD Rocky
• Point.
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Desired

• Able to identify birds of western North America by sight and sound.
• Experience working with live birds.
• Experience bird banding.
• Familiarity with using Microsoft Excel, or similar spreadsheet software.
• Experience working with a volunteer organization.
• Be enrolled in a post-secondary institution (funding requirement).

Employment details

The interns will be employees of RPBO, and the terms of employment will follow the BC Employment Standards Act. Compensation will be $17.75/hr plus 4% vacation pay. A housing and transport allowance of $500 per month will also be provided.

Expected dates are 18 July 2024 to 31 August 2024. Consideration may be given for later start and end dates, and this should be indicated in your cover letter.

To apply

Please email your cover letter, resume, and contact details for three references to James Kennerley at jobs@rpbo.org by 27 May 2024. Potential applicants are also welcome to contact James to make informal enquires.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and RPBO reserves the right to fill positions at any time that suitable candidates are found. Early applications are encouraged.

RPBO_intern_job_posting_2024_final.pdf