Title: Research Technician (Game Birds): Hawaii Agency: University of Wyoming
Type: Temporary/Seasonal Positions Website: https://www.facebook.com/hawaii.vine.project/ Salary: $1000 per month plus housing and use of vehicle Start date: flexible, but early July is preferred End date: 6 month commitment is required with the potential to extend Last date to apply: 5/10/2017 Technician needed (1 position) to study game bird ecology as part of a seed dispersal study on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Forest ecosystems of the Hawaiian Islands have increasingly faced threats of species extinction and biological invasion, resulting in novel communities composed of native and nonnative species. Although many native Hawaiian plants rely on birds for seed dispersal, nearly all native frugivorous birds are extinct. In the last century, the Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) and Erckel’s Francolin (Pternistis erckelii) were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands for recreational hunting. We are investigating the ecological impacts of these 2 species on seed dispersal networks. Technician responsibilities will include line transect surveys, bird capture and banding, GPS telemetry, behavioral observations, vegetation surveys, fecal sample collection, seed identification with microscope, and data entry. Fieldwork will involve long days of strenuous hiking and heavy lifting in temperamental weather conditions. The technician will mostly work independently but in close contact with the Hawaii VINE Project, a collaborative research effort seeking to determine how well different species of non-native vertebrates disperse native plant species. Technician will be working and living with a crew of 4-5 field techs that is predominantly focused on study of seed dispersal by songbirds. Technician will be solely responsible for game bird fieldwork once the graduate student leaves, and will report to a graduate student that will be off island for most of the field season. Start date is flexible, but early July is preferred. The duration of this position is 6 months, with the potential to extend. Technician will be provided with housing, a living stipend of $1,000 per month, and access to vehicles. Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, zoology, ecology or a related field and at least two years of field experience pertaining to wildlife biology or botany are required. Experience working with game bird species or demonstrated knowledge of Hawaiian forest ecosystems may substitute some requirements. Applicant must be responsible, organized, and comfortable working independently. An enthusiasm for research and fieldwork is essential, as well as patience and a strong work ethic. Contact: Please email a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references as a single PDF document to Sam Case (sam.case.haw...@gmail.com) by May 10th, 2017. A phone number and email address must be included for each reference.
