Woodpecker Field Technician - Oregon

A graduate student in the Wildlife Department at Cal Poly Humboldt seeks 1 avian field technician to tag Lewis’s woodpeckers and research their movement and behavioral ecology in the eastern Cascades of Oregon (near Tygh Valley). The project will involve tagging Lewis’s woodpeckers with Motus tags, tracking birds, and monitoring nests to help understand the drivers of their partial migratory strategy. Camping at developed campgrounds is required.

Duration: May 13, 2024 - July 31, 2024 (with some flexibility)

Salary: ~$16.50/hr

Essential functions: 

• Capture, banding, tagging, and resighting of Lewis’s woodpeckers.
• Searching and monitoring Lewis’s woodpecker nests.
• Work outdoors in potentially inclement weather.
• Other related job duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Previous experience with fieldwork and following research protocols.
• Previous experience in bird capture, handling, and/or banding.
• Interest in avian ecology, animal movement, behavioral ecology and/or related fields.
• Comfortable camping at developed campgrounds for the duration of the field season (May-July). 
• Ability to work in physically demanding settings.
• Strong work ethic, and eagerness to learn fieldwork and research methods.
• Ability to work well on a team and independently.

Preferred Qualifications include previous experience tracking wildlife with radio telemetry, nest searching, and nest monitoring.

To apply: Please submit a resume/CV, a cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience, and two references in a single PDF document. Email the application materials to Cameron Piper at Cameron.Piper@humboldt.edu using the subject line “FirstName_LastName_Woodpecker”. Applications received by March 15, 2024, will receive full consideration.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please email Cameron at Cameron.Piper@humboldt.edu.

Candidates who identify with groups currently underrepresented in wildlife ecology and conservation are encouraged to apply. 

Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected status. More information about Cal Poly Humboldt SPF’s Equal Employment Opportunity hiring can be found here.