Point count technicians (4), interns (4), and crew lea Job Description Point count technicians (4), interns (4), and crew leader (1) needed for research being conducted within the Betts Landscape Ecology Lab (http://www.fsl.orst.edu/flel/index.htm) at Oregon State University on source-sink dynamics of migratory forest songbirds in southern Indiana. All positions will begin on approximately 1 May 2013 and continue through approximately 15 July 2013. Primary duties for all positions will involve: early-morning point counts to census avian communities; afternoon vegetation surveys; distributing and collecting song broadcast units to attract breeding individuals; and data entry. Other responsibilities may include (but are not limited to) equipment maintenance, managing databases, proofing entered data, etc. Candidates will be expected to work long hours with early starts in relatively difficult field conditions (e.g., high humidity, thorny understory, ticks, poison ivy, etc.). Housing will be provided. Preference will be shown for individuals that are willing to drive a personal vehicle to and from field sites, though it is not necessary that absolutely everyone have a personal vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed at a rate of $0.35-$0.40 per mile.
Technicians will have the additional responsibility of helping to train the interns on bird identification and point count methods. The field crew leader will be responsible for supervising and coordinating daily work for 2-3 employees throughout the season. Monthly salary is $2,200 for the crew leader, $1,800 for the technicians, and $900 for interns (housing provided for all positions). Successful candidates for all positions will have excellent navigational abilities, meticulous data collection skills, the ability to work independently, good inter-personal skills, and a valid driver’s license. Technicians will have extensive experience conducting avian point counts and estimating distances to detected birds (preferably eastern birds). Interns may have little to no formal point count experience, but should have moderate bird identification skills and a willingness to study eastern bird identification prior to the start of the field season. The crew leader should have extensive experience with ArcMap GIS software, GPS units, database management, logistical coordination, and will exhibit excellent leadership skills. This is an opportunity to be part of one of the largest-scale demographic studies ever conducted on a Neotropical migrant passerine. The study is being conducted through a partnership among the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (P. Marra, S. Sillett, and B. Ryder), Oregon State University (M.G. Betts), the Institue for Bird Populations, and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (R.A. Fischer). A study overview can be found at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/research/marra/wood- thrush.cfm. Contact Information To apply please send electronic copies (PDF or MS Documents) of the following: 1) a letter of interest, 2) a C.V, and 3) the names and contact information for three references to: Jonathon J. Valente PhD Student Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society Oregon State University jonathon.vale...@oregonstate.edu (preferred) Please specify which position(s) interest you. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.
