AVIAN FIELD RESEARCH CREW LEADER (1)

needed in the shrub-steppe of northern Utah from late April through mid-late August. This is a great opportunity to run a small (2-3 techs) bird crew as a part of a collaborative research
program studying landscape-scale impacts across multiple taxa. The primary
research objective of the avian sub-project of ShrubMAP is to link the
responses of passerines (primarily Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow, Brewer's
Sparrow and Vesper Sparrow) to shrub-steppe habitat restoration projects.

Fieldwork will include combinations of the following:

1) nest finding/monitoring,
2) line transect surveys,
3) territory (spot) mapping,
4) vegetation sampling and habitat analysis,
5) accurate, daily record-keeping of data,
6) data entry,
7) working cooperatively with the local ranching community and government
agencies.

This position requires long days in the field and flexible schedules
(sometimes six days/week including Sundays, and night time work will be
involved.), so a sense of humor, positive attitude, patience, and
self-motivation are essential. Avian crew leader will be responsible for
supervising a field crew of 2-3 technicians of varying abilities, as well as
some training and logistical responsibilities. Successful applicants will
have demonstrable academic and/or field experience, have familiarity with
GPS and related computer applications, work well independently and with
others, demonstrate the willingness and ability to live in shared housing,
communicate well in a variety of situations, and express comfort with living
and working in a traditional, rural area of northern Utah. Applicants must
be physically fit enough to move quickly across an austere landscape in
variable weather conditions. A willingness to learn from and work under the
direction of a graduate student and a project manager will be necessary,
since the bird crew is part of a large, multi-disciplinary project.
Everyone will be responsible for regular entry of their own data.

Qualifications of a successful crew leader will include:
1) Demonstrable birding experience esp. with birds of the western U.S.,
2) Strong skills in field identification of birds (preferably western) by
sight and song,
3) Experience training, supervising and coordinating small field crews,
4) Working knowledge of a variety of survey methods,
5) Plant identification experience,
6) B.S. in wildlife biology or closely related field.

Crews will be based out of Randolph, UT, with our field sites at upwards of
6,300' throughout the eastern portion of northern Utah. Bear Lake, the High
Uinta Wilderness Area, Wyoming Wind River Range and scenic Logan Canyon are
all a short distance away. Compensation will be up to $2,422/mo depending
upon experience (plus shared housing and work truck). Interviews begin FEB
15th and will continue until position has been filled. Please email resume
and letter of interest to SHRUBMAP@GOMAIL.USU.EDU . Be sure to include
previous experience with crew supervision; field research; specific dates of
availability; and names, current phone numbers, and email addresses of three
references.