Research Technician (Game Birds): Hawaii

Title: Research Technician (Game Birds): Hawaii

Agency: University of Wyoming

Type: Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Website: https://www.facebook.com/hawaii.vine.project/

Salary: $1000 per month plus housing and use of vehicle

Start date: flexible, but early July is preferred

End date: 6 month commitment is required with the potential to extend

Last date to apply: 5/10/2017

Technician needed (1 position) to study game bird ecology as part of a seed
dispersal study on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Forest ecosystems of the
Hawaiian Islands have increasingly faced threats of species extinction and
biological invasion, resulting in novel communities composed of native and
nonnative species. Although many native Hawaiian plants rely on birds for
seed dispersal, nearly all native frugivorous birds are extinct. In the
last century, the Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) and Erckel¹s
Francolin (Pternistis erckelii) were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands for
recreational hunting. We are investigating the ecological impacts of these
2 species on seed dispersal networks.

Technician responsibilities will include line transect surveys, bird
capture and banding, GPS telemetry, behavioral observations, vegetation
surveys, fecal sample collection, seed identification with microscope, and
data entry. Fieldwork will involve long days of strenuous hiking and heavy
lifting in temperamental weather conditions.

The technician will mostly work independently but in close contact with the
Hawaii VINE Project, a collaborative research effort seeking to determine
how well different species of non-native vertebrates disperse native plant
species. Technician will be working and living with a crew of 4-5 field
techs that is predominantly focused on study of seed dispersal by
songbirds. Technician will be solely responsible for game bird fieldwork
once the graduate student leaves, and will report to a graduate student
that will be off island for most of the field season.

Start date is flexible, but early July is preferred. The duration of this
position is 6 months, with the potential to extend. Technician will be
provided with housing, a living stipend of $1,000 per month, and access to
vehicles.

Qualifications: A bachelor¹s degree in wildlife biology, zoology, ecology
or a related field and at least two years of field experience pertaining to
wildlife biology or botany are required. Experience working with game bird
species or demonstrated knowledge of Hawaiian forest ecosystems may
substitute some requirements. Applicant must be responsible, organized, and
comfortable working independently. An enthusiasm for research and fieldwork
is essential, as well as patience and a strong work ethic.

Contact: Please email a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact
information for three references as a single PDF document to Sam Case
(Sam.Case.Hawaii@gmail.com) by May 10th, 2017. A phone number and email
address must be included for each reference.