Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is seeking a skilled field crew leader for a detailed demographic study of wintering Wood thrush populations in Central America from Jan 1st to April 30th, 2012. This is an opportunity to be part of a full life cycle demographic study of a Neotropical migrant passerine. Candidates must have extensive experience mist-netting and radio-tracking, as well as color-band re-sighting, territory mapping, and blood and feather sampling. Qualified candidates should have experience supervising field crews, good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with local field technicians and landowners. Candidates will be expected to work long hours with early starts six days a week in difficult field conditions. Field sites will be located in tracks of isolated pristine tropical forest and fragmented agricultural landscapes. As such, candidates must be good humored and able to handle extensive and strenuous hiking in hot-humid and rainy conditions with a variety of biting insects (mosquitoes and chiggers), botflies and venomous snakes. Previous experience working in tropical environments strongly preferred for this position and knowledge of Spanish would be an asset. Candidate should be comfortable living in close quarters, in an isolated field environment with limited internet and telephone access. Airfare and accommodations will be provided and possibility of a small stipend depending on applicant’s experience level.
Contact Information:
Interested applicants should send electronic copies (PDF or MS Documents) of the following: 1) a letter of interest, 2) a resume and 3) the names and contact information for three work references to Calandra Stanley (EM: Hylocichlamustelina@gmail.com). Please put WINTER AVIAN Crew Leader as the subject line of your email application. Review of applications will begin immediately and successful applicants will be contacted for an interview. No applicants will be reviewed after December 3rd, 2012.