Avian Field Biologist (crew leader)

Position:

Avian Field Biologist (crew leader)

Application Period:

open until filled

Dates for position (somewhat flexible):

-Lead Field Biologist, 29 Apr – 26 July

Salary:

-Lead Field Biologist $3300-3600/month + housing (DOE)

Job Description:

The Paint Rock Forest Research Center is a non-profit organization located in the Southern Cumberland Mountains of northeastern Alabama. We manage a biological field station at the 4,000-acre Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve (a property owned by The Nature Conservancy). Our largest, ongoing ecological research project is the Paint Rock Forest Dynamics Plot, an international and collaborative effort with the Smithsonian that monitors forest growth, species dynamics, and climate change effects to forests in a 50-year-long study. Did you know that Alabama is ranked in the top 5 states for biodiversity in the United States?!? Because of this rich biodiversity (especially here at the southern extent of the Appalachians), we also lead and/or participate collaboratively in a number of other conservation and ecological projects throughout the State of Alabama, including shortleaf pine savanna restoration, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate surveys and preservation, cave mapping and ecological monitoring, internships for students, educational opportunities for K-12 and college students and teachers, and outreach and mentorship in the community.

We will be kickstarting new research during the spring of 2024 to assess migratory and breeding bird use of the Sharp-Bingham Mountain Preserve, and beginning the first year of a long-term demographic study of the Wood Thrush, a species of greatest conservation need. From May and early June, the crew leader will conduct point counts throughout the preserve in the morning, and afternoons will be spent searching for Wood Thrush territories and nests. In June and July, field days will be spent nest searching, nest monitoring, and capturing Wood Thrushes. Wood Thrushes will be captured using targeted mist-netting effort (using playback), marked with a federal band and color bands, and 20 individuals will also be fit with a Motus tag using a leg-loop harness. The field biologist will likely also help to establish and manage a small array of ARUs (autonomous recording units), and may help with Cerulean Warbler monitoring to a small extent. Field work will begin at, or before, sunrise Mon-Fri, with weekends off. The field biologist will be required to drive a UTV to survey the far-reaches of the preserve, and extensive hiking (average 3-5 miles per day, but could be more on some days) will be required daily over rough and challenging terrain. The preserve is remote and encompasses a mountainous and steep terrain that is often wet and requires care when hiking. Venomous snakes, chiggers, and ticks will likely be encountered daily, and snake gaiters will be required when working alone (we will provide them). As crew leader, this position will require helping the science director prepare and coordinate daily field logistics (including field data collection and management of data entry).

*This is a contract position, however WE DO PROVIDE WORKER'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND INSURE THE WORKER WHILE USING OUR EQUIPMENT.

Housing:

Housing is provided. Housing will include a shared room in a large house on the preserve that has all major appliances, heat and air, running water, and electricity. *Note that although the preserve is remote, it is accessible by car and folks may bring a car with them to commute to, and from, the preserve if they like.