Seasonal Avian Migration Technician - Field Data & Birding

Jobtailor; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a field assistant to support data collection for migratory birds. The role involves mist-netting, bird handling, vegetation surveys, and ARU deployment in Appalachian environments.

Responsibilities include data entry, coordinating with landowners, and traveling to field sites. This is a full-time field position requiring physical endurance and strict safety practices in variable spring/summer conditions.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree
• 0–6 months of experience identifying eastern songbirds by sight and sound, emphasizing songs and calls
• Experience handling birds and extracting them from mist nets
• Knowledge of eastern forest tree identification
• Ability to collect forest structure measurements
• Valid driver's license
• Clean driving record
• Ability to perform field work full time
• Ability to hike several miles off trail while carrying up to 40 lbs. of gear
• Ability to work efficiently in typical Appalachian spring/summer conditions
• High preference for previous mist-netting experience
• Preferred ability to reliably identify common regional species by song
• Preferred experience collecting structural habitat measurements, including DBH, canopy cover, and tree identification
• Cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three references, including email and phone number for each

Responsibilities

• Assist a graduate student with field data collection and data entry
• Conduct mist netting, capture, and extraction of migrating songbirds during spring and fall migrations
• Collect data on migratory bird stopover sites in early-succession forests
• Perform mist-netting, vegetation sampling, and deployment of autonomous recording units (ARUs)
• Drive several hours each day to field sites
• Hike long distances off trail in mountainous terrain while carrying field equipment
• Identify avian species by sight and sound
• Set up and deploy ARUs
• Set up mist nets
• Assist with banding and handling live birds
• Perform vegetation surveys
• Interact with private landowners and the public as required

Skills

Mist-Netting

Bird Identification

Data Collection

Vegetation Sampling

ARUs Deployment

Forest Structure Measurement

Public Interaction

Team Collaboration

Education

Associate's Degree

Tools

ARUs

DBH Measurement

Canopy Cover Estimation

Mist Nets

Job description

Jobtailor seeks a field assistant to support data collection for migratory birds. The role involves mist-netting, bird handling, vegetation surveys, and ARU deployment in Appalachian environments.

Responsibilities include data entry, coordinating with landowners, and traveling to field sites. This is a full-time field position requiring physical endurance and strict safety practices in variable spring/summer conditions.