FIELD CREW LEADER - PIPING PLOVER POST-HURRICANE SANDY

Job description: We anticipate hiring 2 field crew leaders to start early April and continue through August 31, 2023 (COVID-dependent) to monitor the long-term responses of Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) and their predators and prey at Fire Island, New York. All seasonal fieldworkers will be working to improve conservation efforts for the 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 and operation of UTVs and boats; working closely with land management agencies and the Fish and Wildlife Service; and data organization and management. May participate in remote camera deployment and maintenance.

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree (earned, graduating, or rising seniors) in wildlife science, ecology, environmental science, or another related biological field. Must be able to work as part of a team and independently, and keep a positive attitude through long field days (up to 12 hours/day) 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. Crew leaders must have experience banding birds to be considered.

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

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

Compensation: $18/hr. Hours are guaranteed and capped at 40/week (no overtime, some shifts will include weekends). All positions include an offer of free shared housing (including utilities and wifi) and access to state vehicles for work purposes. In lieu of shared housing, Long Island residents may choose to commute and receive mileage reimbursement at the federal rate. Crew leaders are also loaned a cellphone for work purposes.

To submit an application: Please access our application portal here. You will be asked to submit a one-page cover letter, resume/CV highlighting your education and research experience, and contact information for three professional references as a single PDF. Banding experience is required for crew leaders; we have a template banding CV available for download here.

For full consideration, applications must be received by 5 pm ET on Friday, February 10, 2023 to be fully considered for the position. Applications received after will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No applications will be accepted after February 23, 2023. Please direct any questions to project manager Dr. Christy N. Wails at wailscn@vt.edu.