Nesting Bird and Tick Field Technician

Position: Nesting Bird and Tick Field Technician

Employer: The Ohio State University, School of Environment and Natural Resources

Location: Vinton County, Southeastern Ohio (west of Athens, Ohio)

Work Week: Variable Hours including weekdays and weekends (~40hrs)

Dates: ~May 1, 2024 – July 15, 2024

Description: We are seeking a seasonal field technician to survey and monitor forest bird nests as well as collect ticks from birds and the landscape in southeastern Ohio forests. The project is investigating the impacts of tick infestation on several Appalachian breeding birds including Wood Thrush and Ovenbird, as well as potentially other species including Blue-winged Warbler and Kentucky Warbler. Field work consists of nest searching, nest monitoring, nestling measurements/tick collection, adult banding/tick collection, tick collection from the environment, and also assisting with banding at a MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survival) bird banding station. Top applicants will have knowledge of sight, sound, and behavior of target bird species; ability to transverse steep terrain; a positive attitude; and an interest in learning new skills. The technician may also assist with data entry and equipment maintenance. Field work will be conducted in southeastern Ohio, based out of Vinton County. This position requires daily vehicle travel to various field sites that is provided.

Qualifications:

• Ability to identify eastern songbirds by sight and sound
• Flexibility + positive attitude in the face of changing conditions and schedules
• Willingness to work early mornings, long days, and weekends that could involve interactions with steep terrain, biting insects (particularly ticks), and hot temps.
• Other Skills: Use of GPS/navigation, strong songbird observation skills, field notetaking, good physical condition, and ability to drive a state vehicle
• Preferred (not required): Experience with bird handling and banding, nest searching, tick sweeping, knowledge of target species nesting behaviors, knowledge of ticks

Housing: Communal housing at Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest

Approximate Pay: ~$2,300 a month ($14-15 per hour/40 hours a week)

Application Deadline: JANUARY 31, 2024 (though reviewed as received!)

Application Instructions: Please email a cover letter (include start and end dates, and why you are a good fit for this position), a CV (or resume), and three references (name, title, phone number, email address) to Anna Rose at rose.1472@osu.edu. Please send all materials as one PDF with the subject line titled as “Bird Tick Field Technician 2024.”

RoseHiringTech_2024.pdf