Assistant Bird Bander

Employer: University of Utah, Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology Lab

Location: Bonderman Field Station, Utah

Country: United States

Last Date to Apply: 03/31/2026

Where: Bonderman Field Station at Rio Mesa, Moab, Utah

Work Schedule: ~7 hours/day, 10 days on 2 days off

Salary: Volunteer, opportunity for hourly work at $15/hr rotating role

We're looking for two volunteer assistant banders to join a lead bander for our spring migratory banding season. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain real experience in the handling and processing of songbirds at a long‑term monitoring site. The position runs from mid‑April through approximately 12th of June, encompassing the entirety of spring bird migration through the area; availability for this entire period is key.

• Assist the lead bander with bird banding activities, operating nets 30 minutes before dawn and working up to 6 hours a day, conditions permitting.
• Help with demonstrations for visiting educational groups.
• Enter, proof, and manage banding data.
• Support other field tasks as needed in a remote site setting.

• Enthusiastic about bird research and/or conservation biology.
• Willingness to live and work well with a small team for several months in a fairly isolated location.
• Comfortable operating in a remote field station setting with limited wi‑fi, no cell service, and a 1.5‑hour drive to the closest town.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact well with visitors.
• Ideally have some field experience and be used to working outside for long hours in variable conditions.

Volunteer position. No remuneration for housing or food. A $10/day use fee applies for on‑site housing, approximately $600 total for the season. However, volunteers have the option to work with the station manager on various projects up to 7.5 hrs/week at $15/hr.

To apply , please email your interest and experience, along with a resume, to tonikolas.orton
. Use the subject line "Volunteer Bander Applicant, Rio Mesa".

Position is open until the Final date to receive applications. The post will be monitored by a moderator; applications will be considered on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Note:

This position is currently open. For any questions, contact the email above.