Avian Survey Technician

at Mississippi State University, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture

Location:
Louisiana

Duration:
8-9 weeks

Job Type:
Temporary

Application Deadline:
04/06/2012

Job Description:
Avian field technician needed for breeding bird surveys on young pine plantations in northern LOUISIANA between April 22 (flexible start date) and mid June 2011 for the Mississippi State University Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture. DUTIES INCLUDE: (1) Surveying breeding birds on young pine stands via point-counts; (2) Safely navigating young pine stands using GPS and printed maps; (3) Daily data entry. DESCRIPTION: The position will entail a great deal of autonomy, so self-sufficiency and self-motivation are crucial. Our sites are located across a large geographic area, so each technician will be living and working alone on a daily basis. The technician will be assigned to 2 lodging locations (likely WMA bunk houses). A typical work day will begin with a pre-dawn drive to a pine plantation. The technician will navigate (using GPS and maps) to a series of up to 6 count stations on the stand and will conduct variable radius avian point-counts. Dense, tall vegetation will make navigating stands challenging. Counts will be concluded by 10:00 am. The tech will conduct surveys at the sites near one lodging location, then travel to the next lodging location and survey from there, then repeat twice, for three survey rounds total. The tech will be responsible for locating and marking pre-planned survey points during their first visit to each site. LODGING / SUPPLIES / TRANSPORTATION: Basic lodging will be provided (WMA bunk houses (probably) or motels if bunk houses are unavailable). If the tech has friends or family living nearby and wishes to stay with them, we've been flexible with that in the past as well. Techs will move periodically to minimize morning drive time to study sites. Technicians will provide their own food (a limited food per diem will be provided) and personal field supplies (including quality binoculars). Snake chaps will be provided and required to be worn (mainly for briars). A project vehicle (automatic transmission 4WD SUV) will be provided and technicians will be driving extensively. COMPENSATION: $12/hr, expected hours approx 40 hrs/wk. Lodging , vehicle, and gas provided. A limited food per diem will be provided.

To Apply:
Send resume, cover letter describing avian survey experience, and contact information for 3 references to MICHAEL PARRISH (mparrish@cfr.msstate.edu). Email applications preferred.

Qualifications:
Strong experience identifying early-successional and riparian birds of the South by SIGHT and SOUND is absolutely required (we can provide prospective techs a list of expected species); Strong distance estimation skills required to accurately assign bird observations to distance classes; ability to collect quality field data under sometimes challenging conditions (muggy weather, vegetation, critters); basic knowledge of MS Excel for data entry; valid US driver's license; experience with GPS and map navigation crucial.

Number of Openings:
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