Season Avian Technicians - Pinyon Jays

At Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), we work to impact human lives and significantly contribute to bird conservation through a unique combination of cooperative research, education, discovery of the natural world, and community engagement. Please visit our website, or check out our 2023 newsletter to learn more about our organization and the projects we work on!

We are looking for avian biologists to join our team to assist with Pinyon Jay colony surveys and monitoring, primarily across southern Idaho. Duties will include survey site scouting, conducting Pinyon Jay surveys and vegetation surveys, monitoring colony activity, data entry, and keeping an updated daily log of surveys and mileage. Technicians will conduct surveys in potentially suitable habitats that especially include shrub-steppe, pinyon-juniper, other coniferous forest types, and edges between these. Positions will begin March 17 and end May 25, 2024 (limited flexibility in the start or end date might be possible), with an option for continuing work on other projects until the end of July.

Qualifications:

• Ability to identify Pinyon Jays and many co-occurring species of western birds by sound and sight.
• Adherence to all safety protocols and use good judgment while in the field.
• Ability to navigate off-trail in remote, snowy, steep, and rugged landscapes using topographical maps and GPS units.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a two-person team in remote areas for the duration of the field season.
• Strong physical and mental endurance to work long days in potentially challenging conditions (snow, mud, etc.).
• Be physically capable of safely hiking up to 10 miles a day in rugged, snowy terrain individually and in pairs.
• Experience driving in winter conditions and use of 4WD vehicles.
• Careful and accurate data collection/entry/management.
• Strong interpersonal skills for communicating and working effectively with program managers, fellow technicians, and private landowners.

Applicants must possess:

• Valid driver's license
• Proof of auto insurance
• Clean driving record
• Personal 4WD/high-clearance (ideal) or an IBO-provided rental vehicle.
• A smartphone they are willing to use to collect data using ArcGIS Field Maps using offline data collection.

Please consider the following when submitting your application:

• Field work will occur:
  • In remote locations during late winter and early spring in the Intermountain West
  • During early mornings before sunrise and late evenings as the sun is setting
• Fieldwork will require:
  • Winter camping (often without phone service or facilities)
  • Field navigation
  • Observing and documenting Pinyon Jay activity
  • Recording relevant information using digital data collection
• Work schedules:
  • Will be full-time at 40 hours a week
  • Will, ideally, 5 days on & 2 days off (8-hour workdays) or 4 days on & 3 days off (10-hour workdays)
  • May require weather-dependent adjustments to the schedule that would require:
    • Work on weekends or adjustments to the timing of days off

To Apply:

Submit via our application portal which will require that you submit basic contact information, answer a few questions regarding your interests, and upload a single PDF that includes a one-page cover letter, resume or CV, and contact information of three references. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis as soon as applications are received and positions will be filled as soon as suitable applicants are found.