Please distribute.
*North American Bird Phenology: Program Coordinator Position*
*Overview*
The North American Bird Phenology Program houses a unique and largely
forgotten collection of millions of migration observation cards that
illuminate migration patterns and population status of birds in North
America. These handwritten cards contain almost all of what was known of
bird status from the Second World War back to the later part of the 19th
century. The bulk of the records are the result of a network of observers
who recorded migration arrival dates in the spring and fall that, in its
heyday, involved well over 3,000 participants.
On each record, participants recorded their name, locality, and year, along
with arrival and departure dates, date of abundance, and if it was a common
species to that location. Many field report files are also found among the
records which include more detailed information including species behavior,
habitat, and a description of the sighting. The records are cataloged by
species and locality, totaling approximately 900 species of birds ranging
across North America. Many of the records have been scanned and displayed
online where a network of volunteers transcribe each record. A custom-built
system validates transcribed records. Once validated, all data are released
to the general public and scientific community.
The information from this analysis provides critical information on bird
distribution, migration timing, and migration pathways. There is no other
program that has the depth of information that can help us understand the
effect that global climate change has on bird populations across the
country.
The work outlined here will support the management of the North American
Bird Phenology Program.
*Key Responsibilities*
The contractor will support the needs of the North American Bird Phenology
at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center with an understanding of general
research, scientific, and data management principles. The contractor will
support the online volunteer network to effectively transcribe and edit BPP
records. The contractor will edit, assemble, and interpret data
collections; check records for scientific and taxonomic accuracy, manage
the BPP website and database, and work with researchers to access records.
The contractor will perform and initiate investigative research activities
in an effort to understand, model, predict and preserve various in-house
and collaborative research studies in relation to the BPP data.
*Technical Requirements*
*Access to Information and Data*
Provide access to BPP data through the current BPP website
Maintain webpages on BPP website, transcription screen, and training
materials for volunteers
Provide volunteers with monthly E-Newsletter with updated program
information
*Manage and Populate database *
Complete database QA/QC to maintain high degree of data quality
Transcribe and verify additional datasets associated to BPP; incorporate it
into the BPP database
*Support the use of BPP data in scientific papers*
Answer requests for data and work with scientist to understand and
interpret BPP data
Work with collaborating scientists to prepare scientific papers for
publication
*Recruit and Manage Online and Office Participants*
Recruit new participants through listserves, presentations, and
social media
Provide training and guidance to online participants
Manage office volunteers by providing projects, training, and
oversight
*Qualifications*
· B.S. or M.S. in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science or
a related field or equivalent work experience
· Strong data manipulation, management and QA/QC skills and attention
to detail
· Good writing and oral communication skills
· Ability to work with a diverse audiences; experience working with
volunteers
· Specific knowledge and experience in ornithology is preferred
· Ability to work in SQL Server is preferred
*Place of Performance*
Data will come from existing databases and other sources. Analysis will be
completed at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland.
*If interested, please send resume and cover letter to:*
Jessica Zelt, jz...@usgs.gov
USGS/Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
