Bird Banding Field Technician

Job description: I am hiring one part-time bird banding field technician to assist with data collection for my PhD research in the Baraboo Hill (Sauk Co., WI). During the summer, we run a series of four MAPS banding stations (Institute for Bird Populations Measuring Avian Productivity and Survivorship). We operate each station once every 10 days. The duties of the research technician include helping run the stations by prepping the sites, setting up equipment each morning, conduction net runs and extracting birds, banding birds and collecting data, and assisting with data entry. I will always be at the banding station while it is open, working directly with the technician, and 1-2 student research technicians and volunteers will be assisting as well. Other aspects of this project may include: setting up bioacoustic recorders, helping with foliage arthropod surveys, and taking vegetation measurements.

Duration: 20 May - 10 August 2023

20-35 hours per week

$16 per hour, shared housing provided

Requirements: Candidates must have experience and interest in avian ecology fieldwork, and be able to work as part of a team, maintaining a positive attitude under challenging conditions (early morning start times, difficult terrain), and have a strong focus on bird safety and efficient managing of banding stations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Background in avian ecology, B.S. in a biology or ecology field
• More than two seasons of songbird banding
• Strong emphasis on bird safety
• Attention to detail, ability to age birds using the Pyle Guide
• Ability to work in remote field settings, hiking 10 km a day in hilly / rocky terrain
• Work well as part of a team, excellent communication skills
• Well-organized note taking and data entry
• Can maintain a flexible and weather dependent schedule during the season
• Clean driving record and ability to be certified to drive UW-Madison vehicles

To apply, please email your application materials to Maia Persche, persche@wisc.edu and include:

• A cover letter deomonstrating your background experience and interest in this position
• Your CV or resume
• Your banding resume (approximate number of birds banded, as well as species, project information, and locations where you banded or trained)
• Contact information for three references, including at least one banding reference