Bird Banding Field Technician Baraboo Hills Ecology Research Collective

The Baraboo Hills Ecology Research Collective is seeking one motivated field technician to assist with bird banding and long‑term ecological monitoring in southern Wisconsin forests. The technician will join a small grassroots research team for the sixth year of data collection in extensive forest preserves. We have a series of four MAPS bird banding stations (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship, Institute for Bird Populations), located on preserves owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

In addition to examining long‑term population trends of forest bird species, we are interested in the effects of woodland restoration on the bird and insect communities. Options for helping with a wider range of ecological surveys, training volunteers, and helping with community education events.

This is a contract position and we are not able to offer housing.

We are a volunteer‑led, welcoming team: you can read about our Mission / Vision statements, research findings, and current team at our website.

• Help run MAPS bird banding stations: set up and take down mist nets; extract birds from nets; band, measure and age birds.
• Help maintain bird banding station net lanes and trails.
• Conduct foliage arthropod surveys.
• Help train and coordinate volunteers at bird banding stations.
• Assist with data entry and management.
• Record detailed ecological and observational data in the field.

• Capacity to work as part of a team in challenging conditions (early hours, steep terrain, thick brush, hot/humid weather, biting/stinging insects).
• Experience bird banding and following MAPS protocols.
• Familiarity with Midwestern bird species.
• Careful attention to detail and organized data‑collection skills.
• Strong work ethic; effective communication; positive attitude.
• Ability to drive between remote study sites, personal vehicle required. We will reimburse for mileage.

Start Date: May 15, 2026

End Date: August 15, 2026

Salary: $20-25 per hour, based on experience. Hours vary, but will be around 20 hours per week. (Approximately $5,000 for the season, plus compensation for mileage).

To apply: Please send an email containing a cover letter describing relevant experience, CV/resume, bird banding resume, and contact information for three references to Maia Persche () by March 31st 2026. Please write “Bird Banding Tech Application” in the subject line.