Seasonal Loon Field Biologist - NH

Seasonal FIELD BIOLOGISTS (8) needed to survey and manage New Hampshire’s Common Loon population from mid-May to mid-August, 2024. This is the 50th year of the Loon Preservation Committee’s work to protect and recover the state-threatened population, involving a long-running demographic study, intensive management, and research and outreach focused on key stressors. We work closely with collaborating researchers, state agencies, wildlife rehabilitators, and a community of dedicated volunteer loon watchers on over 350 lakes.

Field biologists are assigned individual monitoring regions throughout New Hampshire to collect data on loon abundance and breeding performance. Duties also include nest site protection, rescues of tangled or injured loons, mortality collections, and the capture, banding, and band-re-sighting of adult and juvenile loons. Seasonal staff are expected to work independently, with extensive travel, some long days and evening/weekend work, and a flexible schedule. The season includes an initial training, frequent mentoring and teamwork, and coordination with LPC’s outreach to members and volunteers.

Applicants must enjoy—or at least cheerfully tolerate—strenuous physical work in harsh weather, with rough water and biting black flies and mosquitoes. Applicants must also be willing to approach lake users and established volunteers and foster their cooperation. Qualifications include coursework or degree in wildlife biology or related fields, bird or wildlife surveys, and boating experience. Consideration is also given to relevant skills demonstrated through other work or life experience. Reliable transportation is required. Compensation: $400/week salary, housing (for most positions) and mileage reimbursement. Applicants with serious interest should email a cover letter, resume, and references (as a single PDF file, if convenient) to John Cooley, Loon Preservation Committee: jcooley(at)loon.org;  P.O. Box 604, Moultonborough, NH 03254.  Applications are reviewed as they are received; some or all positions may be filled before the mid-February deadline.