jeffreyphoover

Field Technicians (3), Breeding Songbird Use of Managed Forests University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, southern & central Illinois Positions for 3 technicians to assist with research on the abundance and diversity of breeding songbirds in managed Illinois forests are available with a tentative start date of early- to mid-May 2019. The positions will have an end date of no later than August 15, 2019. Primary responsibilities will include determining how forest management in Illinois directly affects bird abundance, diversity, and habitat use during the breeding season. Specific field work will include surveying the breeding bird community within several forests throughout Illinois where forest management is or is going to be occurring, conducting point counts to document the diversity and abundance of birds, surveying woodpecker abundance, deploying remote digital cameras and analyzing images, conducting a few nocturnal bird surveys, inventorying forest structure and composition in association with census points, and entering and analyzing data to assist with summary reports. The research is being conducted in close collaboration with scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey, and scientists and land managers at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Army Corp of Engineers. All candidates must possess the minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline and have had education or research experience closely related to the primary mission of the project. Experience in identifying (by sight and sound) bird species that breed in Illinois, particularly in forests, is required. Incumbent must have experience conducting point counts or other similar bird survey techniques. Must be willing to work long hours outside under a variety of summer field conditions and live in a field station with others. Position requires an ability to work well independently or with others. Experience conducting vegetation surveys is preferred, as is familiarity with and an ability to orienteer using a GPS unit. It is expected that applicants are capable of occasionally walking several miles through forests in a given day carrying a backpack over uneven terrain. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and will be required to pass a standard background check. The details for the position are as follows: Technicians - Preferred applicants will have some previous experience conducting breeding bird surveys in deciduous forests in the eastern U.S. Preferred duration: Early- to Mid-May 2019 through Early- to Mid-August 2019. Salary Ranges - Techs $10 - $14 per hour commensurate with experience and skills. Field vehicles provided. Housing provided for 2 positions with shared housing located in Belknap, Illinois approximately 45 minutes away from some of the field sites. Third position based out of Urbana-Champaign Illinois and housing not provided. To apply: Submit by April 10, 2019 a single PDF (Save as: your last name_first name.pdf) that includes: 1) a cover letter detailing your interest, qualifications for the position, and dates available for the position, 2) curriculum vitae, and 3) names and contact information for 3 references (direct supervisors/instructors ONLY) to Grace Wilson at gracewilson1994@aol.com. Applications will be evaluated in the order received, and the positions will be filled immediately as suitable candidates are found. Applicants not selected will be notified after positions have been filled.

Waterfowl Ecologist/Field Station Director Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) is seeking an Assistant Research Scientist, Waterfowl Ecologist/Director of the Forbes Biological Station (FBS) and Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center. The Forbes Biological Station (FBS), located along the Illinois River on Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Havana, IL, was founded by Stephen Forbes in 1894, and is the oldest inland field station in North America. The station is a premier center for waterfowl and wetland science in North America. The successful research scientist will provide leadership, direction, and overall administration for the development, coordination, and implementation of scientific research and service programs undertaken and provided by the FBS. The successful candidate must conduct a research program on waterfowl ecology, but other study areas such as wading bird/shorebird and wetland ecology, large river habitats, habitat restoration, and conservation and management within a regional agricultural ecosystem are welcome. The position requires a Ph.D. in waterfowl, wetland ecology, or other relevant scientific discipline; strong leadership and administrative skills, and some background in budget preparation and maintenance; skills and training in waterfowl and wetland ecology; and a broad perspective on existing and future directions of waterfowl research. Research infrastructure and equipment available at the field station include boats, trucks, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, and a fully functionally laboratory. Excellent collaborative opportunities exist with nearby field stations and offices operated by the Illinois Natural History Survey, The Nature Conservancy, University of Illinois at Springfield, Western Illinois University, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NWRs, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Applications must be received by May 18, 2018. For additional information, including instructions on how to apply, please visit http://jobs.illinois.edu/academic-job-board or contact Lori Walston-Vonderharr, Human Resources, Prairie Research Institute at lwalston@illinois.edu. For technical inquiries, please contact search chair Dr. Craig Miller at craigm@illinois.edu or Aaron Yetter at ayetter@illinois.edu or 217-333-3825. The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.

Field Technician, Ecology and Habitat Use of Wild Turkeys University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, central & western Illinois A position for 1 technician to assist with research on the behavior and habitat use of wild turkeys in Illinois has become available and needs to be filled as soon as possible. Primary responsibilities will be tracking radio-tagged wild turkeys and remotely downloading data from their transmitters. Additional responsibilities will change throughout the season and include, but are not limited to: evaluating data for incubation activity, assessing nest fate, conducting vegetation surveys, nocturnal bird surveys, surveying acorn abundance, deploying CO2-baited traps for black flies, conducting camera trapping surveys for mesocarnivores, data entry, and contacting private landowners to obtain access for research activities. The research is being conducted in close collaboration with scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey, and scientists and land managers at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Army Corp of Engineers. All candidates must have completed a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology, Natural Resources, Zoology, or a related field. An interest in wildlife ecology and conservation, the ability to work independently and as a team member, and the capability to conduct field work under adverse conditions, are necessary. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and will be required to pass a background check. The details for the position are as follows: Technicians - Preferred applications will have some previous experience in tracking and handling wildlife, and will be proficient with computer programs (GIS, Google products, Office products). Candidate will be expected to begin work as soon as possible, and the position will tentatively end July 31st, 2018, with the possibility of extension dependent on funding. Salary Ranges - Techs $12 - $14 per hour depending on experience. Housing and field vehicles provided. Details of housing will be provided at a later date. To apply: Submit by May 15, 2018 a single PDF (Save as: your last name_first name.pdf) that includes: 1) a letter detailing your interest, qualifications for the position, and availability for the position of interest, 2) curriculum vitae 3) names and contact information for three references (direct supervisors ONLY) to Morgan Meador at mwomack@illinois.edu. Applications will be evaluated in the order received, and the position will be filled immediately once a suitable candidate is found. Applicants will be notified after position has been filled.