GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER MIST-NETTING, NEST-SEARCHING, AND RADIO-TELEMETRY TECHNICIANS

at Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Location:
in northern Minnesota (2 sites) and south-eastern Manitoba

Duration:
begin 13 May and end in late July or early August

Job Type:
Seasonal

Job Description:
Golden-winged warbler mist-netting, nest-searching, and radio-telemetry technicians (6) needed to join 3 independent crews studying demography and habitat associations of Golden-winged Warblers (GWWA) in northern Minnesota (2 sites) and south-eastern Manitoba (1 site) during the 2012 breeding season. The season will begin 13 May and end in late July or early August (flexible). Because radio-tracking females is the most efficient method for finding GWWA nests, our study depends largely on netting as many female GWWA as possible in the short period during mid-May (Minnesota) and late-May (Manitoba) after females arrive but before incubation begins. To achieve this, each crew will run >50 mist-nets during nearly all daylight hours for that period. We will capture hundreds of birds of >50 species. Therefore, extensive mist-netting experience is required for all positions. The rest of the season will include searching for and monitoring nests, monitoring habitat use by female and juvenile GWWA with radio telemetry, measuring habitat characteristics, more mist-netting late in the season, and data entry throughout. Nest searching for GWWA nests is ridiculously difficult regardless of previous experience, and radio telemetry can be learned quickly, so experience in those areas is a bonus, but not necessary. We are looking for applicants who will take pride in collecting honest, high-quality ecological data with or without supervision, under often challenging field conditions (i.e., early and sometimes cold mornings, long hours of sun, heat, humidity, and an array of relentless blood-sucking critters) with a hard-working, team-oriented attitude, preferably with a good sense of humor. Shared housing and necessary transportation during the field season will be provided. Technician salary is $1,840/month.

To Apply:
Persons interested in interviewing for a position should email a letter of interest (including a description of mist-netting experience) and current CV with names and contact information (phone and email) of 2 references to HENRY STREBY at the Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Minnesota (EM: henrystreby_umn AT yahoo.com). Please include YOUR LAST NAME and “GWWA FIELD TECH” in the email subject line (failure to do so will disqualify your application).

Qualifications:
All positions require that applicants are comfortable living and working closely with a group, are respectful of their colleagues/housemates at all times, are prepared for a challenging and unpredictable work schedule, and are in excellent physical condition. All employees of this project must complete the federal defensive driving course and have current First Aid certification (both can be completed after hiring). Technicians selected for the Manitoba crew must have a valid passport.

Number of Openings:
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