Avian Field Technician

Unit: College of Humanities and Sciences

Department: School of Life Sciences and Sustainability

The Bulluck lab within the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA seeks to hire three field technicians to collect nest productivity and post fledging survival data for Golden-winged Warblers in the Virginia Highlands. This is a temporary position with a work commitment of approximately 40 hours a week. This position will run from the beginning of May to the end of July.

This position will entail, but is not limited to, nest searching/monitoring, target mist netting, applying color bands and color band resighting, collecting morphometric data, tracking fledgling birds via radio telemetry, collecting vegetation data, and assessing food availability (branch clipping, counting and measuring caterpillars). Fieldwork will be conducted in steep terrain and remote conditions. Lodging and transportation to and from field sites are provided.

Applicants must be adaptable and expect periodic schedule changes. Attention to detail is important and applicants with prior avian technician experience will be given preference.

• Comfortable working outdoors for long hours
• Ability to identify eastern birds by sight and sound (specifically, migratory songbirds)
• Basic plant s for eastern US
• Meticulous data collection skills
• Ability to work independently in the field and coordinate with a team
• Ability to be flexible, reliable, and hardworking
• Comfortable driving 4WD vehicle
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record

• Previous experience nest searching and nest monitoring for songbirds
• Previous experience mist netting birds
• Previous experience with radio telemetry
• Working knowledge of Golden-winged Warbler natural history and behavior

Salary Range: $14.50

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite