SEASONAL AVIAN FIELD ASSISTANTS (12)- Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is seeking skilled field technicians for a detailed demographic study of Wood thrush populations in southern Indiana from May 1st to August 15th, 2012. This is an opportunity to be part of one of the largest and most comprehensive demographic studies ever conducted on a Neotropical migrant passerine. Technicians should have experience with a variety of avian sampling techniques including mist-netting, color-band re-sighting, nest searching and monitoring, territory mapping, and radio-telemetry. Qualified candidates will have good color vision, meticulous data collection skills, good inter-personal skills, and the ability to work independently. Candidates will be expected to work long hours with early starts six days a week in difficult field conditions. Daily data entry and data proofing will also be a part of the day-to-day work expectations. Field sites are located in both pristine and fragmented forest tracks within state parks, national wildlife refuges, and military installations. As such, candidates must be able to handle extensive and strenuous hiking in hot-humid conditions with a variety of biting insects (mosquitoes and ticks).  Applicants must have a valid drivers license and their own reliable vehicle to travel to the site. Housing will be provided and Smithsonian field vehicles will be used for day-to-day work. Salary will be competitive ($1600/month). To apply please 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 BRANDT RYDER (EM: Hylocichlamustelina AT gmail.com). Please put SMBC WOTH Technician as the subject line of your email application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

SEASONAL AVIAN CREW LEADERS (3)- Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is seeking skilled field crew leaders for a detailed demographic study of Wood thrush populations in southern Indiana from May 1st to August 15th, 2012. This is an opportunity to be part of one of the largest and most comprehensive demographic studies ever conducted on a Neotropical migrant passerine. Crew leaders should have substantial experience with a variety of avian sampling techniques including mist-netting, color-band re-sighting, nest searching and monitoring, territory mapping, and radio-telemetry. Qualified candidates must have experience supervising large field crews, good communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with other crew leaders and project supervisors. Preferred qualifications include data management experience, ArcGIS, and a master's degree. Candidates will be expected to work long hours with early starts six days a week in difficult field conditions. Field sites are located in both pristine and fragmented forest tracks within state parks, national wildlife refuges, and military installations. As such, candidates must be able to handle extensive and strenuous hiking in hot-humid conditions with a variety of biting insects (mosquitoes and ticks).  Applicants must have a valid drivers license and their own reliable vehicle to travel to the site. Housing will be provided and Smithsonian field vehicles will be used for day-to-day work. Salary will be commensurate with experience ($1800-2000/month). To apply please 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 BRANDT RYDER (EM: Hylocichlamustelina AT gmail.com). Please put SMBC WOTH Crew Leader as the subject line of your email application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.


SEASONAL BIRD BANDERS (3)- Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is seeking skilled bird banders for a detailed demographic study of Wood thrush populations in southern Indiana from May 1st to August 15th, 2012. This is an opportunity to be part of one of the largest and most comprehensive demographic studies ever conducted on a Neotropical migrant passerine. Bird banders should have extensive experience with mist-netting (including target netting), banding (aging, sexing, and morphological measurements), taking blood samples, and putting on radio-tags using the Rappole harness technique. Qualified candidates will have good color vision, meticulous data collection skills, good inter-personal skills, and the ability to work independently. Banders will work closely with the larger Wood thrush field crew and if interested can be involved in other aspects of the project (nest searching, territory mapping, telemetry, etc.). Candidates will be expected to work long hours with early starts six days a week in difficult field conditions. Daily data entry and data proofing will also be a part of the day-to-day work expectations. Field sites are located in both pristine and fragmented forest tracks within state parks, national wildlife refuges, and military installations. As such, candidates must be able to handle extensive and strenuous hiking in hot-humid conditions with a variety of biting insects (mosquitoes and ticks).  Applicants must have a valid drivers license and their own reliable vehicle to travel to the site. Housing will be provided and Smithsonian field vehicles will be used for day-to-day work. Salary will be competitive ($1600/month). To apply please 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 BRANDT RYDER (EM: Hylocichlamustelina AT gmail.com). Please put SMBC WOTH Banders as the subject line of your email application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.