Songbird Technician

Salary: $1,740/month ($435/week)

Description: West Virginia University is seeking experienced field technicians to assist a graduate student with PhD research looking at impacts of young forest on songbirds. Field work will take place throughout West Virginia on West Virginia DNR wildlife management areas. Primary tasks will include point count surveys of the songbird community, vegetation surveys, and data entry. Preference will be given to applicants with previous experience conducting songbird point counts in the eastern US. The position will begin mid-May and end early-July (~8 weeks). Housing will be provided at each field site and will be shared with other technicians and graduate student. West Virginia University will provide first-aid safety training and vehicles for field work.

Qualifications: Applicant is expected to be in good physical health and able to work long hours in arduous conditions. Applicant must have previous experience independently identifying eastern US songbirds by sight and sound, identifying eastern hardwood tree species, and navigating using handheld GPS units. Technicians must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, enthusiastic, have a strong work ethic, and be good with people. Applicant should have a BS or working towards one in wildlife, natural resources, or a similar field. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Please send cover letter with available start and end dates, resume, and three references in a single PDF or Word document to elm0001@mix.wvu.edu, with “Name WVU Bird Technician” in the email subject line (e.g., “Eric Margenau WVU Bird Technician”).