Employer:
West Virginia University
Location:
Lewis Wetzel WMA Jacksonsburg, WV
Country:
United States
Last Date to Apply:
15 Mar 2015
Open until filled
Description:
Salary:
$1600-$2000/month depending on experience
Duration:
3 months (April 15-June 30), with possible extension to July 31st, 2015

Description:
One avian field technician is needed to assist a graduate student for a long-term project on its final year investigating the response of Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) to oil and gas development in the central Appalachian region. Duties will include Louisiana Waterthrush territory mapping, nest searching and monitoring, re-sighting color-banded individuals, target netting return adults for collecting geolocators and blood/feather samples, vegetation/stream sampling, and data entry. The study site is located at Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area, Jacksonburg, WV. The field technician will earn $1600-$2000/month depending on experience. Housing, a vehicle for fieldwork, safety training, and first aid training will be provided.

Qualifications:
The successful applicant will have excellent bird identification skills by sight and sound, a strong work ethic, and an ability to tolerate demanding field conditions. Applicants should be prepared for early mornings and long days 6 days a week. Priority will be given to applicants with previous field experience, especially with nest monitoring work. Applicant must have the ability to work well with little supervision. Experience with use of GPS, compass, ArcMap 10, and Excel a plus but not required. Applicant must be able to handle data entry several hours at a time on a computer for days which we are not in the field due to inclement weather. Mist-netting and banding experience are desired, but not necessary. Applicant must have the ability to carry heavy equipment (<50 lbs.) for several kilometers per day. Be prepared for hiking several kilometers per day off-trail in streams, biting insects (ticks, black flies, mosquitoes), and snakes. A degree in, or in progress towards wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field is also strongly preferred, as well as coursework in bird and plant identification. Qualified applicants will have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record.

Contact Person:
Mack Frantz
Contact Email:
mwfrantz@mix.wvu.edu
Number of Openings:
1
To Apply:
To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references to PhD Candidate Mack Frantz at mwfrantz@mix.wvu.edu. Position will be filled as soon as a qualified application is received.