Willow Flycatcher Survey Technician

Spend your summer doing field work in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains! We are looking for volunteer field technicians to conduct surveys for Willow Flycatchers in montane meadows.

PROJECT DATES (tentative): Late May 2022 – Mid July 2022

TRAINING: The field season will begin with an intensive training period focusing on bird identification skills and data collection protocols.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Primary duties will involve conducting surveys for Willow Flycatchers at montane meadows and mapping the boundaries of active territories. Some additional time will be spent documenting meadow conditions and recording locations of beaver dams and lodges. Some long drives and occasional car camping may be required.

REQUIREMENTS: Previous ecological fieldwork in rugged environments is preferred. Other requirements include a sense of humor, a love of adventure, a desire to learn more about Willow Flycatcher natural history and an appreciation for meadow and wetland landscapes. Survey work will occur primarily in the vicinity of Truckee, CA (just NW of Lake Tahoe). A willingness to face the rigors of fieldwork with good humor is important. These rigors include physically demanding work, long work days that may begin well before dawn, wet and cold weather, hot and dry weather, mosquitoes and biting flies, occasional contact with bears, and housing that may be rustic and/or somewhat crowded. Although housing will be provided in a central location, travel to other study sites may require occasional camping. A personal vehicle is highly desirable but not strictly required.

SCHEDULE: Typically 7 days on and 3 off, with one period of 10 days consecutive work from June 15 to June 25 (no days off during that time), but before and after that time the schedule can be more flexible.

EQUIPMENT: Volunteer technicians are expected to provide their own binoculars, hiking boots, knee high rubber boots and camping gear for car camping (tent, sleeping bag, raingear, etc.).

COMPENSATION: These are volunteer positions. Compensation includes the valuable skills you will develop, the satisfaction of joining important conservation efforts, and the joy of working with fun-loving people in the mountains. We will provide training, shared housing, and a per diem of $50 (amounts to approximately $1250 per month) to help with food and general living expenses.

TO APPLY: Please email a resume, cover letter, and the names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references to Mandy Holmgren, Biologist, at: mholmgren AT birdpop DOT org.

IBP values diversity and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation.

Proof of COVID vaccination will be required.