7872 Fay Ranch Road
Weldon, California 93283
760.378.3345
ssrs@southernsierraresearch.org
Location: The lower Colorado River (LCR) and tributaries in Arizona, California, and Nevada
Duration: May 25 to late August (1) and late Sept (2)
Job Type: Seasonal
Application deadline: February 26
Job Description: Southern Sierra Research Station (SSRS) is seeking three (3) crew leaders to assist with a yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) study in natural and restored riparian forests on the lower Colorado River (LCR) and tributaries in Arizona, California, and Nevada, under the LCR Multi-Species Conservation Program. Join us for an exciting field season working in remote desert riparian areas with one of the most interesting and challenging birds found in the Southwest.
Qualifications required for all crew leader positions: : 1) at least one field season as a crew leader (documented with references), and an additional two or more years experience conducting avian surveys; 2) must possess a strong work ethic, be enthusiastic, physically fit, and able to work in extreme temperatures; 3) ability to navigate using maps, compass, and gps; 4) computer/office skills including data management and basic ArcGIS mapping; 5) valid driver’s license and personal cell phone; 6) dedication to collecting high quality data and willingness to solve problems and complete tasks effectively. Preferred: experience studying cryptic species, resighting color-banded birds, and radio telemetry. During the peak field season (July through August) all crew leaders should expect to work over 40 hours per week, including weekends as needed.
Crew Leader #1/Bander. Additional requirements: Extensive avian mist-netting and banding experience, preferably MAPS or equivalent (please include approximate number/species of birds banded and any additional training). Desired: experience in blood sampling, and attaching tail-mounted radio transmitters. Primary duties: supervising 3-4 biological field technicians, managing field tasks including call-playback surveys, target mist-netting, color-banding, blood sampling, nest searching and monitoring, radio telemetry, vegetation sampling, and data entry. The position will begin May 25 and end Sept 25. The salary is $2,700 per month, housing and field vehicles are provided. Field station Parker AZ.
Crew Leader #2. Additional desired skills: Avian mist netting/banding experience. Primary duties: co-supervising up to 6 field technicians conducting field work (surveys, nest-searching/monitoring, mist-netting, radio telemetry, and vegetation sampling), data collection/entry, and managing equipment. The position will begin May 25 and end Sept 15. The salary is $2,400 per month and field housing (Blythe CA) and field vehicles are provided.
Crew Leader #3. Primary duties: Supervising one cuckoo field technician and conducting call-playback surveys, nest searching/monitoring, resighting color-banded birds, vegetation sampling, and data entry. This position involves some travel. The position will begin May 25 and end Aug 24. The salary is $2,100 per month, field housing (Lake Havasu City AZ) and field vehicle provided.
All field work involves early morning work (rising early, driving or hiking in the dark), with occasional afternoon or evening field work. Crew leaders will ensure all data is entered and proofed daily after returning from the field. Crews may be required to travel long distances to sites. Some sites are remote and require long hikes and/or crawling through dense vegetation or water. Encounters with mountain lions, rattlesnakes, javalinas, coyotes, feral hogs, mosquitoes, and spiders are possible. No pets are allowed.
To Apply: email a cover letter stating your interest in these positions, dates of availability, a resume, and names and contact information (email and phone number) of three references to: Diane Tracy (EM: lcrjobs.ssrs AT gmail.com) by Feb 26. Please make sure all references are current and able to comment on your field crew leader and avian research capabilities. Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found. SSRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Number of Openings: 3
Location: The lower Colorado River (LCR) and tributaries in Arizona, California, and Nevada
Duration: June 1 to Sept 15 (8), June 15 to Aug 15 (5) and June 1 to Aug 20 (1).
Job Type: Seasonal
Application deadline: February 26
Job Description: Southern Sierra Research Station (SSRS) is seeking up to 14 field assistants to assist with a yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) study in natural and restored riparian forests on the lower Colorado River (LCR) and tributaries in Arizona, California, and Nevada, under the LCR Multi-Species Conservation Program. Join us for an exciting field season working in remote desert riparian areas with one of the most interesting and challenging birds found in the Southwest. Eight technicians are needed from June 1 until September 15 2011, five from June 15 to August 15, and one from June 1 to August 20 (dates somewhat flexible).
Primary duties include conducting yellow-billed cuckoo call-playback surveys, nest searching and monitoring, resighting color-banded cuckoos, target mist-netting, radio telemetry, and entering data. All field work involves early morning rising (driving or hiking in the dark), with occasional afternoon or evening work. Sites can be remote and some require long drives or hikes and/or crawling through dense vegetation or water. Some field areas entail driving on remote gravel roads, and conducting surveys by kayak. Encounters with mountain lions, rattlesnakes, javalinas, coyotes, feral hogs, mosquitoes, and spiders are possible.
All technicians will work 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days off, but they must be available to work any of the 7 days each week with the understanding that schedules are subject to change based on cuckoo activity. We work 7-10 hour days in temperatures ranging from 80 – 115 F. All data is entered daily on return from the field. Housing and work vehicle provided. Positions will be based out of Lake Havasu City AZ, Parker AZ and Blythe CA. One technician will primarily work alone in Yuma AZ. No pets are allowed.
Qualifications: Required: 1) applicants must be enthusiastic, physically fit, with a strong work ethic, and very good hearing and color vision; 2) previous experience with bird surveys, nest searching, and resighting color-banded birds; 3) ability to navigate alone using maps, compass, and gps units. Meticulous data collection and data entry skills are expected. Applicants should have a valid driver’s license and a personal cell phone.
Preferred: 1) Highly qualified candidates will have a background working in desert environments; 2) ability to identify (or quickly learn) western riparian birds by sight and sound; 3) ability to resight color-bands of cryptic birds; 4) radio telemetry and mist-netting experience.
Monthly salary is $1875 per month, plus free housing. To apply, email a cover letter stating your interest in the position and dates of availability, a resume, and names and contact information (email and phone) of three references to Diane Tracy (EM: lcrjobs.ssrs AT gmail.com) by Feb 26. Please make sure all references are current and able to comment on your avian research capabilities. Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found. SSRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Number of Openings: 14
Location: The South Fork of the Kern River situated in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada in southern California
Duration: May to late-August. Start and end dates are somewhat flexible
Job Type: Seasonal
Application deadline: Applications should be submitted by 21 April 2012.
Job Description: Three field assistants are needed to assist with research on a population of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers along the South Fork of the Kern River in southern California. The study aims to understand factors affecting population dynamics and breeding success of this endangered subspecies. The study site is situated in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada.
Assistants will participate in population surveys, nest searching, target netting, resighting color-banded birds, cowbird trapping, vegetation sampling, and data entry. Enthusiasm for fieldwork, persistence, and ability to deal with hard field conditions (extreme heat, rough, uneven terrain) are more important than past experience or specific knowledge.
All applicants must be able to work independently and as part of a team. The positions will last from May to late-August. Start and end dates are somewhat flexible. Housing and work vehicles are provided and salaries are $1,400-$1,700/month for Assistants, according to experience.
Applicants should email a cover letter stating their interest in the position, dates of availability, a resume, and names and contact information (email and phone) of three references to: Mary Whitfield (mjwhitfield.ssrs AT gmail.com) at the Southern Sierra Research Station (www.southernsierraresearch.org) by 21 April. The Southern Sierra Research Station is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Number of Openings: 3
Location: The South Fork of the Kern River situated in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada in southern California
Duration: June 8 to Sept 8
Job Type: Seasonal
Application deadline: April 1st, 2012, but hiring will begin February 15 and continue until all positions are filled.
Job Description: We are looking for three field assistants to conduct Yellow-billed Cuckoo field research in the native riparian habitat along the South Fork of the Kern River, in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada of southern California. Join us to work in this beautiful valley with this challenging bird. On your days off, enjoy the surrounding region, there are 5 national parks within a 4-hour drive.
Primary duties include conducting Yellow-billed Cuckoo call-playback surveys, nest searching and monitoring, mist-netting, tracking using radio telemetry, resighting color-banded cuckoos, and entering data. All field work starts in the early morning, but the field sites are close and the drives short. We work 5 days on followed by 2 days off, but this is flexible because our work is often dictated by cuckoo activity. Per day we work 5-8+ hours in the field and then enter and proof data for ~1 hour. The position is based out of Weldon, CA. Housing and work vehicle provided.
Qualifications: Required: Applicants must be enthusiastic, have a strong work ethic, be physically fit, and have very good hearing and color vision. Applicants must also have the ability to deal with hardsh field conditions (extreme heat, rough and uneven terrain, flooded areas, and stinging nettle). Previous experience with bird surveys, nest searching, radio telemetry, resighting color-banded birds, and/or mistnetting birds is required. Meticulous data collection and data entry skills are expected. All applicants must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Qualified applicants should be able to use a map, compass and GPS unit. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.
Preferred: Highly qualified candidates will have additional experience with mistnetting birds, resighting color-banded birds, and/or radio telemetry. Previous experience conducting field work under harsh conditions is also preferred.
Monthly salary is $1,400-$1,800/month, according to experience, plus housing. To apply please email a cover letter stating your interest in the position, resume, and names and contact information (email and phone) of three references as one document to Jenna Stanek at jobs.ssrsATgmail.com Last date to apply is April 1st, 2012. Hiring will begin February 15 and continue until all positions are filled.
Number of Openings: 3
