We're looking for field technicians to study overwinter ecology of American redstarts, Swainson’s warblers, and Ovenbirds in Jamaica. This research is directed by PhD students working with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. The project begins approximately January 15th and ends May 1st. Assistants can expect 8-10 hours in the field, six days per week, walking in flooded mangrove forests sometimes inhabited by crocodiles and maneuvering through dense and thorny second growth scrub. Flexibility with hot, buggy working conditions, work schedule, and living situation is absolutely key to success at this position.
Qualifications:
Competitive applicants will be very self-motivated, have the ability to re-sight and follow tiny color-banded birds and extract songbirds quickly and safely from mist nets. Experience with radio telemetry and bleeding experience are preferred, but not required. The majority of field work will involve mapping warbler territories, but will also include some banding, vegetation measurements, and data entry.
Compensation:
This is an all-expenses paid volunteer position (i.e., no salary, but travel to and from Jamaica as well as home-cooked Jamaican food and comfortable seaside lodging are provided). Non-U.S. citizens may apply but we can only cover airfare from North America or the Caribbean to Jamaica.
To Apply:
Send an email with the subject “Jamaican Field Assistant” to (SetophagaRuticilla@gmail.com) by September 20th, 2015. There should be only one PDF attached called LastnameFirstname.pdf that includes the following: 1)a one page max cover letter, 2)a resume/CV, and 3)contact info for 3 references.
Number of Openings:
~6