Grassland Songbird Technician

Hourly Wage: $14 ~ housing provided

Start Date: 05/15/2023 (flexible)

Location: Streeter, ND

I am seeking three motivated technicians to investigate the impacts of restored disturbance regimes on avian nesting success, nesting communities, as well as territory size and quality. The successful technicians will participate in data collection at the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center in Streeter, ND throughout the summer of 2023.  The research station is in the Missouri Coteau mixed-grass prairie and is a part of the prairie pothole region. This unique landscape is home to a high diversity of breeding waterfowl, shorebirds, and passerines.

The technicians will assist in rope-dragging pastures to locate nests and subsequently monitor nests to determine nest fate. Opportunities to assist in mist-netting, banding, and spot-mapping to delineate territory boundaries of Western Meadowlarks will be available on weekends. The technicians will have the opportunity to develop avian identification skills as well as various field survey techniques including mist-netting, banding, spot-mapping, vegetation sampling, and rope dragging.

Applicants should be working on a degree in a related field and have an interest in the topic or completed a degree in a related field. The most competitive applicants will have prior experience with avian identification. Rope dragging can be an intensive process and applicants must be able to hike approximately 8 miles a day in uneven terrain over the course of 2 months. Applicants must be self-motivated and able to work individually and as a team. Organizational skills and attention to detail are essential. Summer temperatures can range from just above freezing to 90° F, so applicants must be comfortable in a wide range of environmental conditions as well as long days in the field. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.

To apply, please submit one document to Justin Clarke (justin.r.clarke@ndsu.edu) that includes: 1) a cover letter discussing your qualifications and future goals, 2) curriculum vitae, and 3) contact information for three professional references. Please include “Grassland Songbird Technician” in the email subject line. Review will begin immediately, but the position will remain open until suitable candidates are found.