Project Description:
More than 40 million seabirds nest on Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Seabirds are useful as indicators of marine ecosystem conditions, and long-term monitoring efforts by our Refuge provide insight into trends and changes across an immense geographic range.
Job Description:
As a Seabird Monitor, you would assist with this on-going program by monitoring breeding chronology, reproductive success, population changes, adult survival, and food habits of up to 15 species of seabirds. You may also assist with off-road point-count surveys of neotropical migrants, keep daily bird lists, and record incidental sightings of marine mammals and breeding raptors and shorebirds.
Location:
The lands of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge span from southeast Alaska to the western tip of the Aleutians and north into the Chukchi Sea. Positions will be filled at up to seven annual monitoring sites. Buldir, Aiktak, Chowiet, East Amatuli, and St. Lazaria are remote, uninhabited islands where the crews live in small, primitive dry cabins with no access to the outside world. Crews on St. George and St. Paul live in small villages with air-service. Weather at all locations is usually cold and wet.
When:
The longest lasting field camps begin in early May 2012 and end in mid-September 2012 (about 20 weeks). A few locations may have shorter field seasons. Workdays can be long and varied as data collection pertains to both diurnal and nocturnal bird activities. Only applicants who are available for the entire period should apply. Transport to and from several of the islands is via a research vessel with a fixed schedule. We are unable to accommodate you if you have summer events such as weddings to attend or are still in classes when we depart.
Logistics:
Round-trip transportation within the USA will be provided. All food and housing are also provided. In addition, you will receive a $5/day allowance while you are in the field.
Equipment: Field clothes required to be brought by volunteer. Living conditions are primitive and the weather is usually cold and wet so raingear, weather-proof footwear, hand/foot warmers, and multiple layers are recommended. All other camping, cooking, sleeping and data collection equipment will be provided.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate is the type of person looking for an extremely remote experience with a like-minded crew of energetic, well-conditioned and knowledgeable people. We prefer applicants with (or working toward) a degree in wildlife biology or related field and with some field experience that involved accurately collecting and recording data. All applicants must be in excellent physical condition as the work is extremely physically demanding, and able to live and work comfortably with a small group of people in a remote and isolated environment. You should be able to tolerate adverse weather and spartan living conditions. Seabird and boating experience helpful. Appropriate safety training will be provided.
To Apply:
Please Send a detailed resume with availability dates, cover letter and three – five professional references to Rebekah Jones. rebekah_jones AT fws DOT gov or 95 Sterling Hwy, Homer AK 99603. Applications will be received through January 30, 2012.