FIELD CREW LEADER - PIPING PLOVER POST-HURRICANE SANDY

Job description: We anticipate hiring 1 field crew leader to start April 1 and continue through August 31, 2022 (COVID-dependent) to monitor the long-term responses of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) and their invertebrate prey to habitat created by Hurricane Sandy at Fire Island, New York. Field technicians will be working to improve conservation efforts for Atlantic Coast population of Piping Plovers. This project is just one of multiple shorebird projects based at Virginia Tech. Please see our project webpage https://www.vtshorebirds.org/ for more information about shorebird conservation at Virginia Tech.

Responsibilities: Lead a crew of 3 field technicians in trapping, banding and resighting adult Piping Plovers, nest searching and monitoring, invertebrate collection and identification, capturing, banding and resighting Piping Plover chicks, daily trailering of UTVs, daily driving of 4x4 vehicles on the beach, boat operation, working closely with land management agencies and the Fish and Wildlife Service, data organization and management. May participate in remote camera deployment and maintenance.

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, or another related biological field. Extensive experience with avian capture methods, handling techniques, and bird banding. Must be able to work as part of team and independently, and keep a positive attitude through long field days (up to 12 hours/day and 6 days/week) in a variety of field conditions. Must be comfortable walking 5–10 miles in sand while carrying a spotting scope and other research equipment on a daily basis. Must be able to distinguish colors at a distance.

Preferred qualifications: Prior leadership experience OR extensive experience as a field technician or research assistant; boating, trailering, and driving 4x4 vehicles in sand; color band resighting.

Prospective applicants need not meet every preferred qualification; training will be provided. Preference will be given to individuals with resighting and bird banding experience.

Upon position offer, the candidate will have to pass a background check. The selected candidate is expected to be up to date on COVID vaccines/boosters and follow federal and state health guidelines throughout the field season.

Salary: $640/week, including housing 

Please send a one-page cover letter describing relevant experience and future goals, resume, and contact information for three references (in ONE pdf document, formatted as FILeader_LastName_FirstName_2022) addressed to Dr. Christy N. Wails at li.pipingplover@gmail.com.

Applications must be received by 5pm ET on Friday, February 25 2022 to be fully considered for the position.