"Avian Field Technicians (Nest searchers)"

Job Details

Posting Number: G/R27760P

Working Title: Avian Field Technicians (Nest searchers)

Department: Warnell-Sch Forestry & Nat Res

About the University of Georgia: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education https://www.uga.edu/. The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

Employment Type: Employee

Anticipated Start Date: 04/21/2025

Posting Date: 11/13/2024

Open Until Filled: Yes

Location of Vacancy: Outside Georgia

Position Summary

The Chandler and Rushing Labs are hiring 2 nest searchers to assist with a long-term study investigating the impacts of climate change on trailing-edge populations. This study is focusing on Black-throated Blue Warblers, Hooded Warblers, Canada Warblers, Veery, Ovenbirds, Slate-colored Juncos, Eastern Towhees, and Wood Thrush.

Primary Duties include:

• Nest searching/monitoring
• Banding of adults and nestlings
• Insect surveys/leaf collection
• Deploying nest cameras and camera grids
• Some tagging of nestling and adult focal species with radio-transmitters
• Some radio-telemetry
• Vegetation sampling
• Data entry
• Other duties as assigned

Positions require good color vision, the ability to identify eastern birds by sight and sound, the ability to hike and navigate on and off trail, and work alone in rugged terrain and variable weather conditions, and an interest in avian ecology. Positions also necessitate attention to detail, self-motivation, and a positive attitude for long days (8-12 hours) in the field with biting insects.

Positions may be required to work regular overtime, which is time over 80 hours in a biweekly pay period, and will be paid at 1.5x your base pay rate. There may be some weeks with fewer than 40 hours per week worked.

Preferred Education, Experience

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Associate degree or higher in wildlife management or related field
• Experience with passerine nest searching
• Experience with mist-netting and handling of nestlings
• Experience with tagging birds with radio-transmitters/motus tags

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

The ability to identify birds by sight and sound.

Physical Demands: Navigating dense mountainous terrain carrying up to 25lbs of field equipment, sometimes before daybreak, and in areas inhabited by bears, feral hogs and venomous snakes. Driving.