Read About Us
 
Research Programs
 
Publications
 
Internships & Training
 
Memberships & Donations
 
 
The Institute for Bird Populations
© 2002

Spotted Owl Survey in North Cascades National Park, WA

We have three openings during spring/summer 2009 on our Spotted Owl survey in North Cascades National Park, WA.

PROJECT DATES:

April 1 - June 30

STUDY AREA: Owl surveys will be conducted throughout the Skagit watershed of North Cascades National Park, including sites close to front country roads as well as sites in more remote wilderness.

TRAINING: The field season will begin with a weeklong training session in owl identification, Spotted Owl survey techniques, backcountry orienteering and safety, and wilderness camping skills. These skills will be honed further throughout the field season.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  This position will involve volunteering with an experienced crew leader and two other interns to conduct Spotted Owl surveys at known, historic, and suspected Spotted Owl activity sites. Surveys will determine site occupancy, and monitor breeding effort and success of all breeding pairs found. We will also conduct surveys along pre-established transects through suitable habitat where Spotted Owls have not been detected previously.

 

Surveys will require long hikes and frequent backcountry camping. Many of the surveys will be conducted at night, often in cold, wet weather. Some snowshoeing and/or snow camping may be required early in the season.

Some computer data entry will also be required.

The crew will be based in the small, remote town of Diablo, WA. Diablo is loacated about 2 hours east of Bellingham along Highway 20. The area offers fantastic opportunities for outdoor recreation.

REQUIREMENTS:  Previous field experience is preferred, especially with owls or raptors. Even more important than prior experience, however, is a strong desire to learn more about owls and natural history, a sense

of adventure, and a willingness to face the rigors of fieldwork with good humor. These rigors will include (but are not limited to!) physically demanding surveys, an irregular schedule, wet and cold weather, conducting surveys at night, and occasionally conducting surveys alone. Successful candidates must be in excellent physical condition, must be comfortable with off-trail hiking and orienteering (training provided), and must be able to entertain themselves in a remote setting with few diversions other than fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities.

EQUIPMENT:  Interns are expected to provide their own binoculars and backpacking gear, including hiking boots, tent, sleeping bag, raingear, etc.

COMPENSATION:  Like all IBP internships, our Spotted Owl survey internship is fundamentally a volunteer position. Primary compensation includes the valuable skills you will develop, the satisfaction of joining important bird conservation efforts, and the joy of working with fun-loving people in a fantastically beautiful environment. Additionally, we will provide you with a per diem of $32 (amounts to $800 per month) to cover food and general living expenses, and free shared housing in a very comfortable park service house in Diablo.

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

HOME   BACK