Black-Backed Woodpecker Monitoring in Sierra Nevada National Forests

We have 2 openings FOR EXPERIENCED POINT-COUNTERS during spring/summer 2010 on our Sierra Nevada Black-backed Woodpecker Monitoring project.

PROJECT DATES:

May 7 - July 7

TRAINING: The field season will begin with a week-long training session in project protocols for conducting multi-species point counts, using playback-surveys to detect Black-backed Woodpeckers, and conducting habitat assessments. Surveyors are required to already be able to identify Sierra birds by sight and sound; applicants with previous point count experience will be strongly preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  Working in a team of two, biologists will visit and survey recently burned sites on Forest Service lands throughout the Sierra Nevada. On a typical day, surveyors will wake up before dawn and spend the morning conducting BBWO surveys, multi-species point counts, and rapid vegetation surveys at each survey site. The afternoon will then be spent scoping out surveys sites and travelling between burn areas. Work will be moderately physically demanding, sometimes involving several mile hikes into survey sites and the occasional short (1-3 day) back packing trips to access survey sites far from roads. Off-trail travel will be required at many survey sites. The typical work schedule will be 7-days on followed by 3-days off.

REQUIREMENTS:  We are looking for candidates with prior birding experience and familiarity with the songs and calls of western montane birds. Prior point count experience is mandatory. Other requirements include a sense of humor, a love of adventure, a desire to learn more about Black-backed Woodpecker natural history and fire ecology, and an appreciation for recently burned montane landscapes. Crew members will be camping most nights in front-country campgrounds or in the back-country on the occasional back-country trip. Survey work will be distributed across the entire Sierra Nevada, requiring substantial car travel and willingness to lead a nomadic life for a few months. A willingness to face the rigors of fieldwork with good humor is important. These rigors include (but are not limited to!) physically demanding work, long work days that may begin well before dawn, wet, cold weather, mosquitos, occasional contact with bears, and less-than-glamorous housing. Successful candidates must be in excellent physical condition and must be comfortable with off-trail hiking and orienteering (training provided).

EQUIPMENT:  Biologists are expected to provide their own binoculars and camping/backpacking gear, including hiking boots, tent, sleeping bag, raingear, etc. A personal automobile is a required for 1 member of the two person team.

COMPENSATION:  Surveyors will be considered independent contractors rather than IBP staff, and will receive payment of $2,200 per month and project-related travel mileage reimbursement ($0.35/mile), but no fringe benefits. In addition, campground fees will be reimbursed.

WHAT PAST FIELD BIOLOGISTS HAVE SAID ABOUT SIMILAR PROJECTS: "I gained so much, I don't know where to begin. My backcountry skills, my people skills, survival skills, have all been fine-tuned. My experience with the birds will never be forgotten. I loved learning the songs!"

"This was probably the best summer I've ever had. I learned a lot of new birds, made some great friends, and got to work in some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen."

"This was one of the hardest summers of my life. It was physically challenging and forced me to do things I would have never otherwise attempted. I learned so much about birds, backpacking and bushwacking, and found I can actually function at 4am!"

"I am very satisfied with all of the experience I gained this summer. I learned a lot about myself, my interaction with other people, and nature. I also enjoyed learning all of the birds and plants. Working for IBP and in the North Cascades has been a very positive experience that has forever changed me."

HOW TO APPLY: Please email resume, cover letter, and names, phone numbers and email addresses of two references to Bob Wilkerson, Biologist at: bwilkerson AT birdpop DOT org

Electronic applications are preferred, if that is not possible please email or call for a mailing address.
Ph: (415) 233-0684
e-mail: bwilkerson AT birdpop DOT org

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