Breeding Bird Use of Managed Forests Field Technician (1)

Field Technician (1), Breeding Bird Use of Managed Forests

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, south-central Illinois

A position for 1 technician to assist with research on the abundance and diversity of breeding songbirds and woodpeckers in managed Illinois forests is available with a tentative start date of late-April to mid-May 2021. The position will have an end date of no later than 15 August 2021. Primary responsibilities will include determining how forest management in Illinois directly affects bird abundance, diversity, and habitat use during the breeding season. Specific field work will include surveying the breeding bird community within several forests throughout Illinois where forest management is or is going to be occurring, conducting point counts to document the diversity and abundance of birds, surveying woodpecker abundance, deploying remote digital cameras and analyzing images, conducting a few nocturnal bird surveys, inventorying forest structure and composition in association with census points, and entering data to assist with summary reports.

The research is being conducted in close collaboration with scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey, and scientists and land managers at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Army Corp of Engineers. All candidates must possess the minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline and have had education or research experience closely related to the primary mission of the project. Experience in identifying (by sight and sound) bird species that breed in Illinois, particularly in forests, is required. Incumbent must have experience conducting point counts or other similar bird survey techniques. Must be willing to work long hours outside under a variety of spring/summer field conditions. Position requires an ability to work well independently or with others. Experience conducting vegetation surveys is preferred, as is familiarity with and an ability to orienteer using a GPS unit. It is expected that applicant is capable of occasionally walking several miles through forests in a given day carrying a backpack over uneven terrain. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and will be required to pass a standard background check. The details for the position are as follows:

Technician - Preferred applicant will have some previous experience conducting breeding bird surveys in deciduous forests in the eastern U.S.  

Preferred duration: Starting late-April to mid-May 2021, through 15 August 2021.

Salary Range: $11-$14 per hour commensurate with experience and skills. Field vehicle provided. Position based out of Urbana-Champaign Illinois and housing will be responsibility of successful applicant.

To apply: Submit by April 5, 2021 a single PDF (Save as: your last name_first name.pdf) that includes: 1) a cover letter detailing your interest, qualifications for the position, and dates available for the position, 2) curriculum vitae, and 3) names and contact information for 3 references (direct supervisors/instructors ONLY) to Grace Wilson at gracew@illinois.edu. Applications will be evaluated in the order received, and the position will be filled immediately as a suitable candidate is found. Applicants not selected will be notified after position has been filled.