Fall Block Island Bird Banding Technician

The University of Rhode Island is seeking one highly motivated full-time research technician to assist a Master’s student with running a high volume fall bird banding station on Block Island, RI. The banding station is a partnership with the Block Island branch of The Nature Conservancy and consists of up to 30 mist-nets which are operated 7 days a week (weather permitting). The field season runs from early September through early November (Approximate dates are Sept 11 to Nov 10), though there is some flexibility in start and end dates. Field housing will be provided as well as a stipend of $2,200 a month. 

Duties:

-Helping with inventory, banding station set up and take down, and net lane clearing

-Operating nets each day (opening an hour before sunrise), weather permitting

-Attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate data records

-Checking all nets at a minimum of every hour (more often depending on the conditions)

-Ability to keep a positive attitude, be professional,  and maintain a strong relationship with our partners at The Nature Conservancy

-Work effectively and efficiently with other members of the research team

Minimum Qualifications:

-Bachelor's Degree in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field, or equivalent experience

-Experience with mist-net extraction, aging and sexing of Eastern songbirds (using the Pyle guide), banding, and taking morphometric measurements 

-Strong familiarity with identification of eastern US songbirds

-Demonstrated experience utilizing judgment in field-based wildlife research projects

-Strong emphasis on bird safety

-Highly motivated and strong willingness to learn

-Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work both as a team and independently

-Willingness to spend long hours outdoors in all types of weather

-Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, weather permitting

-Ability to lift approximately 50 pounds

-Valid driver's license and clean driving record

Preferred Qualifications

-Experience at a medium to high volume bird banding station during the fall migration season (1000+ birds banded)

-Experience with extracting a variety of bird species from mist-nets safely (ideally 1000+ birds extracted)

To apply, send an email containing a resume/cv (with approximate numbers/species of birds banded), cover letter, and contact information for 3 references in a single document to Lauren Michael (lemichael@uri.edu). Please write: “Block Island Banding Technician” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed starting March 20th and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.