Crew Lead Seabird Monitoring at Machias Seal Island

Machias Seal Island Field Lead

Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research at the University of New Brunswick needs one field lead to monitor seabirds (primarily Atlantic Puffins, Razorbills, Arctic and Common Terns, Common Murres, and Leach’s Storm Petrels) on Machias Seal Island, New Brunswick from early May (approximate start date May 8-10) to mid-August. Primary duties include bird capture (box trap, mist-net, treadle trap, hand), banding, taking morphometric measurements, band resighting, productivity monitoring, feeding observations, and data entry. Work days are long and physically demanding, but the opportunities to observe seabird behavior are unparalleled. 

For more information, please visit https://msialar.wixsite.com/alar-msi

Qualifications: Applicants should be positive, hard-working, and enthusiastic, and able to reliably work independently as well as in a team. The ability to meticulously collect and enter data is absolutely essential. Applicants must be comfortable living on an island with limited amenities and phone/internet access. Canadian citizenship or residency is preferred. Current workplace first aid with CPR required. The Field Lead will have demonstrated experience with managing time and people, previous experience leading a field crew preferred, and ability to coordinate multiple projects and people. Field Lead is required to have previous experience banding birds, previous experience with GPS and/or GLS tagging, and bleeding birds an asset.

Compensation: Return transportation from Saint John to Machias Seal Island, food, and lodging are provided, plus $500-$600 per week (depending on experience).

Application Instructions: To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and names and contact information for three references to Dr. Heather Major (alar.unb.msi@gmail.com) as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.