PA Bird Atlas Field Crew Leader

Field Crew Lead for PA Bird Atlas (1 opening)

DEADLINE: Jan 20, 2024

EMPLOYER: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA

The Pennsylvania Bird Atlas (https://ebird.org/atlaspa) is hiring a crew leader to help plan a field season, conduct point counts and oversee a team of four point count technicians.

DATES

Approximately March 11, 2024 – July 26, 2024

COMPENSATION

• $25/hr
• Housing is available at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Orwigsburg, PA). During the survey season (late May – mid-July), a combination of state park campsites and hotel accommodations will be provided or reimbursed for a total of 5 nights/week.
• Mileage reimbursement on personal vehicles will be provided. Vehicle rental may be provided in lieu of use of a personal vehicle if necessary.
• Crew leader is responsible for providing their own food, binoculars, smartphone, camping equipment, and vehicle (if possible).

RESPONSIBILITIES

The crew leader will be responsible for:

• Aiding in  point count survey planning and logistics
• Supervising field technicians
• Conducting visual and auditory bird surveys following appropriate Atlas protocols
• Data entry and review
• There may also be opportunities for outreach, including leading bird walks, giving presentations, writing blog posts, etc.

The crew leader will begin in mid-March and assist with planning the field season. Technicians will begin May 20, beginning with an orientation session at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, which the crew leader will be expected to help organize and conduct. During the field season, the crew leader and technicians will conduct avian point count surveys at assigned roadside locations, record distances and behavior codes of individual birds, and enter data into a database. Surveys will occur in all locations and habitat types across Pennsylvania. The work schedule will require flexibility but will be no more than 40 hrs/week.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to identify birds of Pennsylvania by sight and sound.
• Previous point count experience and eBird experience.
• Previous experience using GIS.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving history.
• Must be willing to work early mornings and long hours in a variety of conditions including hot weather and buggy conditions.
• Must be comfortable camping in public campgrounds.
• Must be comfortable working both independently and within a small team, and able to follow all Atlas protocols.
• Must be comfortable navigating by GPS and driving long hours.
• Must be organized, self-motivated, comfortable delegating tasks, and have good communication skills.