Corvid Point Count/Recreation Site Assessment Field Technician

Title:                    Corvid Point Count/Recreation Site Assessment Field Technician

Supervisor:       Northwest Program Officer

Location:             Oregon or Washington

Duration:            June-July (2 months)

Job Type:            Temporary

Salary:                 Monthly salary $2,500 with camping fees, meal per diem, and mileage reimbursement provided

Application Deadline: Until Filled; Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

Position Summary:

SEASONAL FIELD TECHNICIANS needed by the American Bird Conservancy to conduct corvid point counts and recreation site infrastructure surveys as part of a program to assess nest predation threats to the endangered Marbled Murrelet in old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. Point counts for ravens, jays, and crows, and site assessments will be conducted in campgrounds and picnic sites on National Forests and state parklands in western Oregon and Washington. Surveys will be performed across a broad geographic area and require daily travel by car. Training will be conducted in a group, after which technicians will be assigned to work solo or in a team of two. This is an opportunity to explore the coastal old-growth forests of the northwest while assisting in the recovery of a threatened species.

Primary Duties:

• Early morning point counts for nest predators (corvids), campground and picnic site assessments, and data entry. Point counts and site assessments will require some hiking.
• Coordination with campground hosts and state and federal site managers.
• Other responsibilities may include (but are not limited to) equipment maintenance, managing databases, proofing entered data, etc.
• Working solo or in a team of two.
• Work will be conducted 5 days per week, but the weekly schedule may vary due to weather conditions. Early morning starts are required for point counts.
• Housing will be provided and consist of camping in established campgrounds with four nights per month in a hotel or other rental accommodations. Camping will be located as close as possible to survey sites, but daily driving long distances may be required.
• Camping and field work conditions may be challenging including infrequent access to showers or laundry, driving on forest roads, hiking, and exposure to varying temperatures, sun, wind, rain, hail, etc. Camping and data collection equipment will be provided.
• Technicians driving personal vehicles for the duration of the work and will be reimbursed for mileage. Applicants without a personal vehicle are still encouraged to apply as vehicle sharing or a rental car may be a possibility.
• Personal vehicles should be in good condition and able to handle dirt/gravel roads.

*Note that road conditions may be difficult in some areas depending on weather.

Position Requirements:

• Experience with identification of birds by sight and sound required; corvid and forest bird identification is most relevant
• Experience conducting avian point counts preferred; training will be provided
• Experience with estimating distances to detected birds preferred; training will be provided
• Meticulous data collection skills
• Excellent navigational abilities on roads and trails using digital and paper maps
• Candidates should be comfortable navigating and driving on freeways, local roadways, and forest roads
• Ability to work independently or in a small team
• Adaptable to changing living and working locations and conditions
• Excellent communication skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Must be at least 18 years old, eligible to work in the US, and willing to undergo a background check
• Willing to gain basic (online or in-person) Red Cross CPR/First Aid Training (ABC to cover the course attendance fees)