Sagebrush-Obligate Bird Research Technicians

The University of Waterloo’s Natural Gas Reclamation in the Sagebrush-Steppe Project is seeking two avian research technicians to assist with avian point counts, monitoring greater sage-grouse fitted with GPS-VHF transmitters, songbird nest monitoring, and vegetation sampling. The research will be conducted in large-scale natural gas reclamation areas in sagebrush habitat in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. The objective of this component of the research is to better understand the response of sagebrush obligate birds to landscape scale habitat reclamation. The overall goal of the project is to identify the chain of reclamation events necessary for greater sage-grouse recovery and recovery of sagebrush songbirds in areas being reclaimed.

Lodging will be provided in Buffalo or Sheridan, Wyoming. The work term for most crew members will be from approx. 01 May to 31 August, 2019 (exact start and end dates are somewhat flexible).

Primary Duties

  Greater sage-grouse capturing
Greater sage-grouse monitoring and tracking (telemetry)
Conducting avian point-count surveys
Songbird nest searching
Microhabitat vegetation sampling
Data entry and data proofing
Operating 4×4 vehicles
Operating ATVs
Work will require long hours in the field (> 40 hour weeks) in adverse weather conditions, working alone and hiking long distances. Technicians must be able to work well with others, live side-by-side with coworkers and have good communication skills.

Required Qualifications
Completion or enrollment in, a college/university program in wildlife ecology/management, biology, zoology, or other natural resource related fields
Have the ability to legibly record field data and enter data into a computer (Excel, Word, etc.)
Understand the use of GPS equipment and basic navigation with a compass
Have experience conducting field work
Be willing to work long days (> 8 hours) in the field and often 6 day weeks
Valid full driver’s license
First Aid and CPR training
Preferred Qualifications (training is provided)
Ability to identify birds by visual and auditory clues
Experience tracking wildlife using telemetry
Experience handling wildlife

Compensation
Technicians will be paid $2400 CAD per month and lodging will be provided. Technicians will be responsible for their own living expenses (e.g., food).

How to apply
If you are interested in joining the project and spending the summer near the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming, please email a cover letter, resume, and at least two professional references to ckirol@uwaterloo.ca. Applications will be taken until 18 March, or until the positions are filled. Further questions can be directed to ckirol@uwaterloo.ca or Dr. Brad Fedy (principle investigator; bfedy@uwaterloo.ca).