Summer Songbird Bander

The University of Montana Bird Ecology Lab seeks 1-2 experienced bird banders for our Bird’s Eye View Education Program (BEVEP). BEVEP uses songbird banding stations as a platform for discussing the importance of riparian habitat to birds and other wildlife. We operate 3 to 4 MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) stations in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin from Butte, MT to Missoula, MT. General duties include songbird banding, public education, maintaining data sheets, and data entry. Expect long days, inclement weather, mosquitoes, beautiful country, and rewarding work.

Work will begin mid-May and continue through early-August, with the potential to stay on for UMBEL’s fall migration songbird banding. Pay is $13-$16/hr DOE. Shared housing is provided in Missoula, MT. The weekly schedule for these positions is highly variable, anywhere from 20-40 hours a week depending on the BEVEP schedule. Banders are expected to help with data entry in between banding sessions. There may be opportunities to assist on other UMBEL projects (including nest searching, grassland bird surveys, assistance Motus tagging) depending on an applicant’s skill set.

Qualifications: Banders must have prior banding/extraction experience (minimum 500 birds) as well as a thorough understanding of advanced aging/sexing techniques (molt limits, skulling, etc.) Environmental Education experience is a plus. Must be comfortable extracting and banding in front of an audience. We are a dynamic team and applicants must be comfortable working under minimal supervision as well as interacting with coworkers in tight spaces in challenging (hot and buggy) conditions.

To apply: Please email a cover letter addressing qualifications specific to this position, a resume, and contact information for 3 references as a single document to Holly Garrod: hmgarrod26@gmail.com