Bird Banding Technician

Avian Field Technician

Job Description: Powdermill Avian Research Center (PARC), field station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, is seeking seasonal field technicians to assist with avian research in southwestern Pennsylvania from early or mid-August through the end of October 2024. The primary duties of this position include extracting birds from mist nets, assisting with PARC’s bird banding operation, and interacting with the public and other visitors. The field tech will work daily with North American Banding Council (NABC) certified Trainers and will have the opportunity to receive extra training in all aspects of banding (including ageing and sexing techniques) to NABC standards.

To learn more about the banding program at Powdermill, please visit our website: www.powdermillarc.org.

Qualifications: strong candidates will have experience extracting, handling, and banding songbirds, must be able to identify eastern North American birds by sight, and be able to hike up to 6-10 miles per day in uneven or muddy terrain sometimes in inclement weather (e.g., hot, cold, rain). The successful candidate will be able to work well both independently and as part of the banding crew, and be able to interact with visitors to the banding station. Applicants must have at least a high school degree and at least 3 months of field experience banding birds. Candidates should have a valid drivers license.

Principal Accountabilities: The principle responsibility of this position is assisting the Banding Program Manager with Powdermill’s avian research efforts. This includes extracting birds from mist nets, banding and collecting data from birds, collecting tissue (e.g. blood, feathers) and fecal samples from birds, Motus projects, repairing nets, trimming vegetation around net lanes, and recording and proofing data. The avian field technicians will also assist with public outreach efforts (e.g. periodic banding demos and field trips).

Compensation: Pay is $16/hour for 40 hours per week. Housing is provided at no cost to the field technician.

To apply: Visit www.carnegiemuseums.org/opportunities; click on Search Jobs and click on Apply in the section titled Field Assistant I, Avian Research (Requisition #1360). Please include your resume or CV, contact info for three references, and a cover letter detailing your experience extracting, handling, and banding birds. All documents should be saved in one file to allow for upload through our Applicant Tracking System.

Last date to apply: May 31, 2024