Volunteer field assistants for the Landbird program in Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

Organization: Charles Darwin Foundation. Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Duration: minimum 3 months from July 2014 onwards, but volunteers staying longer will be preferred
Job Type: Temporary. Number of Openings: 2. Application Deadline: 30 July 2014, but positions will be covered as soon as suitable candidates are found.
Job Description: Volunteers needed with interests in avian conservation biology. The assistants will get involved in the following activities of the Galapagos Landbird Conservation Plan: Determining the population status of the Galapagos Martin (very little is known about this species considered as endangered - not a single publication exist for this species. Census will be carried out, behavioral observations will be recorded and research will be done regarding their breeding ecology); Participation in the Nestbox project with the Galápagos Flycatcher, only passerine cavity nester at the Galápagos islands; Collaborate in developing control methods for the Smooth-billed Ani (introduced species in the Galápagos Islands); Participate in the Vermillion Flycatcher Ecology Project, at the islands of Santa Cruz and Isabela; Carry out bird census; Participate if necessary in other related projects, such as the Mangrove Finch project or the Philornis project. Stipend: This is volunteer position. Accommodation can be found at the Charles Darwin volunteer house. The work schedule is typically Monday-Friday, with the weekends off. Volunteers must pay for their transportation to Galápagos, but depending on qualifications or the length of volunteer period a stipend might be available.

To Apply: please send an email to Dr. JAVIER COTÍN (EM: javier.cotin@fcdarwin.org.ec) Please apply by sending an email containing your Curriculum Vitae, a letter of interest explaining why you want to join our team as well as contact information of at least two references and the range of dates when you will be available and how long you can participate. For example you may say something like “any 90 day period between July 2014 and February 2015”. For more information about Charles Darwin Foundation, please visit http://www.darwinfoundation.org/ or friend us in facebook! https://www.facebook.com/darwinfoundation
Qualifications:
Volunteers should be hard working, responsible, very enthusiastic and patient. The candidates should be prepared to work independently in the field, at high temperatures (28-32ºC with high humidity), and thus previous experience with fieldwork, preferably with birds, is valuable. You must also be able to get along well with others and be fit, able to hike in harsh terrains. Bird identification skills and bird banding experience are a plus. Bachelor or Biology students will be given preference.