In collaboration with Dr. Brian Washburn of the USDA/APHIS/WS/National Wildlife Research Center (http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage), I am looking for two field technicians with strong work ethic to assist us with research on the wintering ecology of short-eared owls (e.g., determining activity and movement patterns) in both agricultural and airfield settings in the Midwestern U.S. The field technicians have to be skillful in hand-tracking radio-tagged owls. Field technicians also need to be willing to learn and hence able to correctly operate and adjust, when necessary, multiple Automated Recording Units (ARUs) for telemetry data acquisition. Field technicians are required to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Duties and responsibilities include: Trapping - Assist with trapping of short-eared owls for radio-tagging at selected study sites. Tracking - Conduct daily radio-tracking of radio-tagged owls and record locations with the GPS unit through triangulation or homing. Observations - Record behaviors of the owls when required. Maintenance - Assist with the maintenance and data download from the ARUs. Daily Reports - Submit daily reports on the tracking and observations of the owls. Requirements: Successful candidates must have a B.S. degree in environmental science, wildlife, biology, or related field. Experiences in radio-telemetry and working with raptors in the field are highly preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and GPS is highly desirable. Successful candidates must be a team-player, demonstrate strong communication skills, follow instructions well, and pay attention to detail. Candidates must have a commitment to field personnel and equipment safety. The individual must have a personal vehicle, maintain a valid driver's license, and be able to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions for long hours. Application: Review of applications will start immediately until the positions are filled. Starting date: December 1, 2016. Anticipated ending date: March 31, 2017. Salary: $440 per WEEK plus housing. To apply, please send the following (via email) to Dr. Tih-Fen Ting at tti...@uis.edu<mailto:tti...@uis.edu>: 1) Cover letter addressing background and extent of qualifications; 2) Resume, including contact information for three references; and 3) Transcripts (unofficial or scanned copy acceptable). Tih-Fen Ting Department of Environmental Studies University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 206-7876 tti...@uis.edu<mailto:tti...@uis.edu>
