Bird banding field technicians in Yosemite National Park, CA

Enjoy a full summer of banding a diverse set of songbirds and near-passerines in Yosemite National Park as part of The Institute for Bird Populations’ Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) bird banding crew!

PROJECT DATES: May 4 – August 8, 2025

TRAINING: The first two weeks of the field season will involve intensive training in the field and at camp on bird banding practices, including mist-netting, ageing and sexing, bird safety, and MAPS protocols.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Field technicians will work in a team of four (including one biologist supervisor) for the duration of the season to operate seven mist-netting stations in Yosemite National Park. Work involves mist-net operation, bird handling, data collection, participation in public demonstration events at the banding station, and regular communication with a remote supervisor. Most field days begin before dawn and end in the early afternoon.

REQUIREMENTS: Previous bird banding and wildlife biology experience is preferred, but is not required. A willingness to face the rigors of fieldwork with good humor is important. These rigors include physically demanding work, pre-dawn waking hours, wet and cold weather, hot and dry weather, occasional contact with bears, and camping in Hodgdon Meadow Campground in a group campsite for the duration of the season. A personal vehicle is highly desirable but not strictly required.

Even though this is a volunteer position, applicants must possess an existing legal right to work in the United States of America.

SCHEDULE: Typically 7 days on and 3 off.

EQUIPMENT: Field technicians are expected to provide their own binoculars, hiking boots, rubber boots, and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, raingear, etc.). A full equipment list will be provided before the start of the season.

COMPENSATION: These are volunteer positions. Compensation includes the valuable skills you will develop, the satisfaction of joining important conservation efforts, and the joy of working with fun-loving people in the mountains. We will provide training, shared housing, and a per diem of $43 (amounts to $3440 for the season) to help with food and general living expenses.

TO APPLY: Please fill out IBP’s job application form. Please select IBP job code Banding-Yosemite-Vol when ranking this position. Your submission should include ranked position preferences, resume, cover letter, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of up to three references. Professional references are preferred, but one reference may be a character reference. References are often slow to reply, so we encourage submitting more references to ensure your application can be quickly processed.

Application deadline: Open until filled. Application review will begin as applications are received.

IBP is an equal opportunity employer.

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, citizenship or immigration status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring an accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should call 707-789-3224 or email IBPhumanresources@proton.me for assistance.