Entry-level Willow Flycatcher Field Technician

We have up to 4 openings for Willow Flycatcher survey technicians during spring/summer 2024 on our meadow restoration monitoring projects within the central Sierra Nevada, near Truckee, CA. The study sites are typically wet montane meadows that have historically contained Willow Flycatcher populations.

PROJECT DATES (tentative): June 1-July 15 (with potential for some folks to start as late as June 15)

TRAINING: The field season will begin with training in project protocols for conducting Willow Flycatcher playback surveys, habitat assessments, and field safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Working both independently and occasionally in teams, technicians will visit historically occupied Willow Flycatcher meadows and conduct playback surveys. On a typical day, surveyors will wake up before dawn, drive to survey sites (typically 30 min to 1.5 hr from crew housing), and spend the morning conducting playback surveys and rapid vegetation assessments. The afternoon will then typically be spent entering data into a database (computer provided). Work will be somewhat physically demanding, sometimes involving hiking (typically less than 2 miles) into survey sites through steep terrain. Surveys will require moving through flooded meadow areas and navigating stream crossings (waders will be provided). Off-trail travel will be required at many survey sites. Some long drives and occasional car camping may be required.

SCHEDULE: The typical work schedule will be 5 days on followed by 2 days off, with a ten-day critical survey period from June 15 to June 25 where everyone may be asked to work straight through.

REQUIREMENTS: Primary requirements include a sense of humor, a love of adventure, and a desire to learn more about Willow Flycatchers and the Sierra Nevada. A willingness to communicate and coordinate with others, and to face the rigors of fieldwork and data entry with enthusiasm is important. These rigors include (but are not limited to) physically demanding work, long work days that may begin well before dawn, wet, cold weather, mosquitos and biting flies, occasional contact with bears, and less-than-glamorous housing (likely with shared bedrooms). Successful candidates must be in good physical condition and must be comfortable with off-trail hiking, working in waist-deep water (waders provided), and orienteering with a handheld GPS (training provided). This is a training position and field technicians of all experience levels are encouraged to apply. Although housing will be provided in a central location, travel to some study sites may require occasional camping.

EQUIPMENT: Crews are expected to provide their own binoculars and camping gear, including hiking boots, knee high rubber boots, tent, sleeping bag, raingear, etc. Please speak to the interviewing biologist if this presents an overwhelming financial burden; it may be possible to find some personal gear for loan for the duration of the season. Additional survey gear including GPS, waders, and laser range finder will be provided by IBP. A personal vehicle is highly desirable but not strictly required.

COMPENSATION: These are classified as volunteer positions, but we provide training, shared housing, and a per diem of $54 (amounts to approximately $1350 per month) to help with food and living expenses.

TO APPLY: Please email a resume, cover letter, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of up to three references to Mandy Holmgren, Biologist at: mholmgren AT birdpop DOT org. Professional references are preferred, but one reference may be a character reference. Many times, references are slow to reply; we will contact all submitted references and encourage submitting more references so that your application can be quickly processed.

IBP values diversity and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.