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Job Description:  Seasonal Avian Field Biologists (up to 30 needed), early March to late July for multiple research projects focusing on ecology and management of songbirds, primarily the federally endangered black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler, in several regions of Texas, on public and private lands. Duties may include point count surveys, nest searching, behavioral observation, territory mapping, vegetation sampling, radio telemetry, color-banding, predator trapping, data entry, and other approaches, depending on the project and region.

Requirements: Experience in wildlife biology or closely related field; ability to collect data with strong attention to detail; ability to work 6 days per week doing physically demanding work, with early mornings (0500); a positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, mountain lions, cows, poison ivy, normal daily temperatures of over 90°F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain; ability to operate 4X4 trucks; patience and focus to quietly observe and follow birds; good eyesight and hearing; ability to work independently and in groups; must be comfortable working on private ranches and interacting with landowners; must supply your own binoculars.

Preference will be given to applicants with experience: identifying birds by sight and sound, nest searching, identifying plants, navigating using handheld GPS unit, using Microsoft Access, Excel, ArcMap; possess a B.S. or B.A. in wildlife biology or closely related field.  Positions will be filled as suitable applicants are identified.

Pay: starting at $1,600/month
Housing will be provided, will vary depending on project and region.

The projects include; Hwy83, Hwy71, Kerr, Kickapoo, Devil's River, Fort Hood & Recovery Credit System. Please scroll down for more information about each project.

To apply:
Please specify the project in which you are interested on the subject line of your email and in the body of your cover letter
e.g. “Fort Hood”.  Include your last name in the file attachment.  Submit cover letter, resume (including GPA), and contacts for 3 references (preferably email address) in 1 attachment to: RAMSESirnr@gmail.com

This is the 3rd season of a 3-year impact assessment in the Texas Hill Country. The project is monitoring the federally endangered golden-cheeked warbler and its response to highway and construction noise and disturbance.  Work is conducted on privately-owned land in Real County, TX and at Garner State Park in Uvalde County, TX. 

Field work includes conducting transect surveys for the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo and black-and-white warbler, territory mapping, behavioral observations, nest searching and monitoring, assisting with nest camera and acoustic equipment, and data entry.  Field assistants should expect to work long hours starting before sunrise, work independently and in groups, navigate steep and rough terrain, operate vehicles on highways and off-road, maintain patience and focus while observing breeding birds. Seasonal field biologists will begin work before sunrise 5 to 6 days per week; must supply your own binoculars. Group housing and field vehicles provided. Positions start beginning of March through mid- to late June 2009.

This is the first year of a four-year impact assessment of highway construction noise on golden-cheeked warbles and other breeding songbirds, including black-capped vireo and black-and-white warbler. Research sites are located just southwest of Austin, Texas along highway 71.

Field work includes identification of songbirds by sight and sound, transect surveys, territory mapping, behavioral observations, nest searching and monitoring, use and maintenance of video cameras and audio recording devices, vegetation measurements, and data entry. Field assistants should expect to work long hours starting before sunrise, work independently and in groups, navigate rough terrain, operate vehicles on highways and off-road, maintain patience and focus while observing breeding birds. Group housing and field vehicles provided. Positions start beginning of March through mid- to late June 2009.

Project Leader: Jessica Klassen

Project Leader: Katy Smith

We are studying black-capped vireo nest success and the factors that may affect nest success and multi-scale habitat selection in a part of their breeding range that has not been well studied. Field sites are located in the southwest part of Texas primarily at Devil’s River State Natural Area and surrounding private lands.  We will be conducting a variety of field work, including nest searching and monitoring; mist-netting and color banding of adults and nestlings; territory mapping; vegetation sampling; and use of video nest cameras.  Housing will be provided and may include cabins or trailers near field sites.  Field work will begin in early March and extend through mid-July.

For more information about this project Click Here.
For instructions on how to apply for this project Click Here

Project Leader: Mike Marshall

We are investigating the impact of military training activities on the federally endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo on Fort Hood army base.  This research project will include monitoring of the presence, abundance, and reproductive success of the 2 species in several areas of the military bas e that are being managed and used for military training maneuvers and research on more specific questions about the ecology of the 2 species (see link below for more detailed information o this research).  Field sites are located on Fort Hood, situated in Coryell and Bell counties in east-central Texas.  Field technicians will conduct a variety of fieldwork, including nest searching and monitoring; territory mapping; behavioral observations; arthropod sampling; and vegetation sampling.  Housing will be provided in the form of cabins, trailers, or houses near field sites.  Fieldwork will begin in early March and extend through early July.

For more information about this project Click Here.
For instructions on how to apply for this project Click Here

Project Leaders: Shannon Farrell & Andy Campomizzi

We are investigating the status of the federally endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo on private land, monitoring the effects of management efforts, and investigating the ecology of the warbler, vireo, and neighboring bird species to provide critical information for use in continued conservation and management efforts.  Field sites are located primarily on private land in several counties in east-central Texas.  Field technicians will be working on broad-scale monitoring of the abundance, distribution, and reproductive success of the 2 endangered species and at least 1 of several research projects addressing more specific questions about the ecology of these species (see links below for detailed descriptions of these projects).  Field technicians will conduct a variety of field work, which will vary depending on the particular project on which they focus, which may include nest searching and monitoring; mist-netting and color banding of adults, nestlings, and juveniles; territory mapping; vegetation sampling; behavioral observations; and use of video nest cameras.  Housing will be provided in the form of cabins, trailers, or houses near field sites.  Fieldwork will begin in early March and extend through mid- to late July.

For more information about this project visit:
Shannon Farrell or Andy Campomizzi
For instructions on how to apply for this project Click Here