Volunteer Opportunities

• Translators needed: The Sonoran Joint Venture is in need of bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers to assist with translation of the SJV website, brochure, and bimonthly electronic newsletter. The work is ongoing, and any and all help is appreciated. Please contact Jennie Duberstein at 520-882-0837 if you are interested or would like to learn more about this opportunity.

Job Opportunities

• RESEARCH INTERNS are needed to assist with a research project examining seasonal variation in clutch size of two species of ground-nesting birds (red-faced warblers and yellow-eyed juncos). The study site is located in high-elevation montane forests of the Santa Catalina Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Primary duties include: 1) Nest searching and monitoring; 2) Using GPS to relocate and monitor nests; and 3) Assisting in capturing and banding birds. Project runs from mid Apr to mid Jul 2008. An ideal candidate would be available for the duration, however will consider individuals available for portions of the season. Previous nest searching/banding experience preferred. Pay is $800-$1100 DOE. Applicants should be willing to work long hours in the field and be comfortable working independently. During the field season, interns will camp (live) on the grounds of the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory at the summit of the Santa Catalina Mountains (near Summerhaven) and have access to bathrooms, showers, and a kitchen. This is a great opportunity to gain research experience while working in a beautiful environment. Send cover letter and resume (with names and email information for 3 references) to KARIE DECKER (EM: kdecker AT email.arizona.edu). For more information, visit the project web site at http://www.ag.arizona.edu/srnr/research/coop/azfwru/cjc/ (follow links to Current Research and project #10).
• POINT COUNT TECHNICIAN (1) needed for riparian bird community study for the Sonoran Desert Research Station along the San Pedro River in southeastern Arizona. Field work will take place between mid May and mid Jul, 2008. General duties include surveying birds via point counts, conducting vegetation surveys, and data entry. Previous point count experience is a plus and western experience preferred. Must be able to hike in rugged and hot conditions, be competent with a GPS unit, and work independently. Salary will be between $500-$1100/month, depending on experience and funding. Please send a letter of interest, resume, and contact information for 3 references to Tiffany: (EM: harveytmAT email.arizona.edu).
• SOUTHWESTERN WILLOW FLYCATCHER FIELD TECHNICIANS NEEDED-Surveyors, Nest Monitors, and Banders needed for endangered southwestern willow flycatcher studies along the Lower Colorado and Virgin Rivers from above Lake Mead south to Mexico.
  SURVEYORS: Field duties will primarily involve conducting standardized early morning broadcast surveys. Vegetation and microclimate sampling also required.
  NEST MONITORS: Field duties will include conducting standardized early morning broadcast surveys, nest searching, nest monitoring, resighting color-banded birds, and vegetation and microclimate sampling.
  BANDERS: Field duties will involve using targeted mist net techniques to capture, color-band, and collect blood samples from southwestern willow flycatchers. Additional field duties include all tasks listed for Nest Monitors.
  All positions run from early May to early Aug 2008. All positions: Daily computer data entry is required. Housing and vehicles provided; camping required in some locations. Mileage reimbursement is provided for work related use of personal vehicles. Applicants must be able to work closely with other biologists, have full hearing and color vision, have current eligibility to work in the U.S., and possess a valid driver’s license. Positions require stooping/crawling through dense vegetation and tolerance of hot temperatures, high humidity, and biting insects. Qualified applicants will have at least one field season of avian research. Preferred qualifications include prior experience in the identification of southwestern U.S. riparian birds and experience using motorboats and ATVs. Qualified banders will have extensive experience mist netting and banding passerine birds. Prior experience banding endangered species preferred. Compensation: $14-$16/hr with a rotating schedule of 10 days on (80 hours) and 4 days off. $39 per-diem when away from assigned duty station. To apply, submit resume, cover letter, college transcripts, and contacts for 3 professional references to MARY ANNE MCLEOD (EM: mmcleod AT swca.com), SWCA Environmental Consultants, 114 N. San Francisco Street, Suite 100, Flagstaff, AZ 86001; (PH: 928-774-5500; 1-800-224-4234; FX: 928-779-2709). SWCA is an equal opportunity employer. Positions will be filled as qualified applicants are identified.
• SPRING MIGRATION TECHNICIAN POSITIONS AVAILABLE (5) to assist in the study of Neartic-Neotropical landbird migrants at a stopover site on the Lower Colorado River in SW Arizona , 17 Mar – 20 May 2008 . BANDER (1) will manage mist-netting efforts. MUST have experience with mist-netting, knowledge of Neartic-Neotropical landbird migrants, and experience with bleeding birds preferred. BANDING ASSISTANTS (2) will assist in mist-netting large numbers of migratory birds and conducting foraging observations. POINT COUNT ASSISTANT (1) will conduct daily point counts and foraging observations, and potential to assist with mist-netting. Experience with western Neartic-Neotropical migrants preferred. RADIO-TRACKING ASSISTANT (1) will assist in radio-tracking and conducting behavioral observations of Wilson ‘s Warblers. Applicants are required to work 6 days a week, be in good physical condition, work and live harmoniously in close company with others, be meticulous in detail of data collection and recording, and maintain a good attitude under difficult field conditions. Pay rate will be $400/ week for the bander and $350/ week for all other positions. Housing will be provided. Please send letter of interest (indicate position applying for), resume, and email address and phone number of 3 references to KRISTINA PAXTON- email preferred (EM: kristina.paxton AT gmail.com), 118 College Drive Box 5018, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406.
• MOJAVE DESERT SEASONAL STAFF-PRBO Conservation Science seeks 3 seasonal staff biologists to participate in long-term, all-species breeding bird research at the Amargosa Canyon, near Death Valley, California. Primary field duties will include spot-mapping, nest-searching and monitoring, vegetation assessments, and managing Brown-headed Cowbird traps. Applicants should have prior nest-searching experience, and be willing to work long hours in demanding habitats. Prior survey experience with Willow Flycatchers and/or Bell’s Vireos is a plus. The Amargosa Canyon is a California Audubon Important Bird Area, and hosts a wide variety of breeders and migrants to ogle and master. The positions’ durations are 1 Apr – 1 Aug 2008, and earn $1800-$2100/month. Housing is provided. To apply, e-mail a one-page maximum cover letter briefly detailing your past experiences and future goals, as well as a resume to CHRIS McCREEDY: (EM: cmccreedy AT prbo.org).
• SONORAN DESERT SEASONAL STAFF AND INTERNSHIP POSITIONS WITH PRBO. PRBO Conservation Science is seeking 3-5 motivated xerophiles to assist with all-species breeding and migratory landbird surveys throughout Sonoran Desert Thorn Woodland habitats of the Lower Colorado River Valley. This is a long-term study of a California Audubon Important Bird Area, with a challenging array of Sonoran Desert residents and western Neotropical migrants to master. Primary field duties will include point counting, nest-searching and monitoring, and vegetation assessments. Prior bird surveying experience a plus, and applicants must be willing to work long hours/camp in the field. 4WD or AWD vehicle also a plus (lots of sandy washes to survey). Housing is provided. Point counting positions begin 1 Mar 2008, extend through 15 May 2008, and earn $1050/month. Nest searching positions begin 1 Feb 2008, extend through 31 May 2008, and earn $800-$1600/month, depending on experience. To apply, e-mail a one-page maximum cover letter briefly detailing your past experiences and future goals to CHRIS McCREEDY: (EM: cmccreedy AT prbo.org).