Ornithology Research Assistant

Duration: 12 weeks (June-Aug)

Rate: $375/week ($4,500 stipend) housing not included

Riveredge Nature Center was established in 1968 and is located in Newburg, WI, a rural northeastern Wisconsin community.  Riveredge is a complex 379 acre association of high-quality ecosystems including the 47-acre Riveredge Creek and Ephemeral Pond State Natural Area, over 1.5 miles of frontage along the Milwaukee River, prairie, beech-maple forest, central and northern hardwoods forest, white cedar seeps, natural ponds, restoration scrapes, tamarack-cedar swamp, sedge meadows and fen communities. Prized by educators, naturalists and biologists for its exceptional biotic diversity, Riveredge is a regional resource for scientific research, hosting more than 40 studies, projects, inventories, monitoring programs, surveys, and other types of scientific investigations to date.  It is protected habitat for endangered and threatened species such as Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), Cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea), hooded warbler (Wilsonia citrina), northern yellow lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. makasin), hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata), wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), forked aster (Aster furcatus); It is host to many more Species of Local Conservation Interest (SLCI).

Position Purpose

Riveredge Nature Center has a 30 year history of surveying its resident and migrating avian populations.  We are looking for individuals to monitor avian breeding populations and conduct other various monitoring (bumble bee, frog & toad, dragonfly, damselfly, butterfly, moth, beetle, vegetation) within oak woodland, organic woody permaculture farm, riparian mesic forest, and fen habitats.  This individual will also assist in the drafting of technical reports, banding operations and the collection of breeding bird survey across several parcels on the riveredge main campus, as well as off-site parcels owned by Milwaukee Audubon at Horicon Marsh and the White River Marsh..  

Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of monitoring
• Assist with banding
• Manage collected data
• Assist in writing summary reports
• Work in the field independently and with other interns
• Maintain research equipment and supplies 
• Assist with other duties related to the mission and research goals of Riveredge Nature Center

Preferred Qualifications

• A Junior or Senior at a college/university or has obtained a Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field
• Experience with ArcGIS
• Entry level field ornithology course or equivalent knowledge base
• Experience with data collection, research methods, and scientific writing
• Proficient in Excel, or alternative statistical software
• Good communication skills, punctual, creative and energetic
• Ability to work as a team member as well as individually
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people
• Self-starter and self-directed

To Apply

Please send resume, cover letter and contact information for three references electronically (in PDF or Word.doc Format) by March 25th to: Matt Smith, Research and Conservation Director: msmith@riveredge.us.