WILDLIFE RESPONSES TO FARMLAND HABITAT RESTORATION: Field Technician Agency: Virginia Tech
Location: Eastern Shore, Virginia and Maryland and Blacksburg, Virginia Job description: 1 April – 15 October. Monitoring avian and mammalian responses to restoration of pollinator-focused habitat on working small-scale farm. Field technicians will be working to assess the effects of NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) pollinator habitat restoration on a variety of wildlife taxa, including migratory and resident birds, bats and game mammals such as white-tailed deer. This project is one component of a larger project assessing wildlife responses, insect pollinator responses and economic benefits of these habitat restoration projects. Responsibilities: avian point counts for migratory and resident passerines, nest searching for nesting birds, camera trapping for game birds and mammals, bat acoustic monitoring, habitat sampling, long driving periods, working closely with private land owners, land management agencies and the NRCS, data organization and management. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field. Prior experience as a field technician or research assistant and experience with avian point counts for eastern birds of the US are preferred, but training will be provided. Candidates must be able to work as part of team and independently, and keep a positive attitude through long field days (up to 12 hours/day and 6 days/week) in a variety of field conditions. Candidates should be in good physical condition, as the job requires walking daily while carrying a spotting scope and other research equipment on a daily basis. Salary: $400/week + free housing during field work (Apr 1-May 13 and Sept. 1-Oct 15). Option, but not required, to conduct project-related lab work in Blacksburg from June-August, but housing not provided during that time. Option to work both Spring and Fall field seasons, or just Spring season. Please clarify your interest in application cover letter. Please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references (in ONE pdf document, formatted as LastName_FirstName_2017) to Earle Berge at ear...@vt.edu. The position will remain open until filled.
