BC Breeding Bird Atlas Field Technicians

Bird Studies Canada's (BSC) BC program is looking to hire several field ornithologists for minimum periods of one week, and maximum periods of two months, to conduct an extensive sweep of surveys for the British Columbia Breeding Bird Atlas between late May and the end of July 2012. The Atlas is a five-year field project to determine the distribution and abundance of all bird species breeding in the province. For more information, visit www.birdatlas.bc.ca.

Individuals and teams will be required daily to complete, to the best of their ability (as weather and topography allow) up to 15 five-minute point counts per day between 28 May and 10 July, to assess abundance, and up to 20hrs of breeding evidence surveys, to assess distribution, following BC Breeding Bird Atlas protocols (including conducting point counts, filling in daily checklist forms, rare/colonial, and nest-record forms), in as many 10km grid squares as possible, (to be determined with the Atlas coordinator, but generally one to two squares per day of the contract) to fill gaps in coverage in northern, central and south-eastern British Columbia, and increase coverage of higher elevation habitats throughout the province. We are currently finalising survey priority areas (which will likely include the Atlin (R37) - Dease Lake (R38) regions accessed via the Cassiar Highway, and the north and north-east including Fort Nelson (R40)/ Mackenzie (R39)/ Fraser Plateau (31) regions; the western Chilcotin (R25), and parts of the Columbia Basin (R1, 3, 4). This year, our emphasis is on completing coverage of as many 10km squares as possible, to one of two threshold levels (10 point counts and 10 hours of breeding evidence surveys; 15 point counts and 20 hours of breeding evidence surveys). Many squares you will be directed to will already have some coverage, so you will be required to coordinate your activities closely with the BC Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator and the relevant volunteer Regional Coordinator(s). The number of positions offered is dependent upon pending funding applications, and will fall into the following categories 1-2 (below).

Remote Survey Field Technicians

In order to maximize opportunity and effectiveness, we are offering positions in the following categories (each requires use of own vehicle):

1) Teams of two skilled ornithologists deployed for periods of 30-50 days between 28 May and 31 July, at $225 per day each, to cover salary and all expenses.

2) Individual skilled ornithologists deployed for minimum periods of 7 days between 28 May and 10 July, at $250 per day each, to cover salary and all expenses.

Short-term Remote Surveyors (volunteer)

3) We are also looking for individual and teams of two to four birders, willing to volunteer to conduct Atlas surveys over shorter periods of time (~3-7 days) in remote areas and higher elevation habitats accessed by floatplane and helicopter. We are looking for back-country savvy teams with at least one individual able to conduct point counts (for 28 May - 10 July surveys), and the Atlas will cover flight expenses.

Please send your expression of interest, highlighting your birding and field experience, your availability during the period 28 May - 10 July, your regional preference (if any), resume, which of the above categories you wish to be considered for, and the name(s) of people you could team up with, if any, plus the names and addresses of two references, and your atlasser ID# if you have one, to Christopher Di Corrado at cdicorrado@birdscanada.org.

Deadline: Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 11:59 pm Pacific time. We will be putting out a separate notice about travel support for volunteer atlassers as in previous years.

Requirements: Technicians must demonstrate the following skills/experience:

• Ability to IDENTIFY WESTERN CANADA'S BIRDS BY SIGHT AND SOUND;
• Comfortable working long days starting early in the morning;
• Tent-camping (especially in remote areas); - Working in a team environment;
• Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada and hold a valid driver's license.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct point counts and aptitude in collecting field data.

Additional assets/skills:

• Familiarity with British Columbia, particularly northern, central and south-eastern parts of the province;
• First Aid Certification, preferably Wilderness First Aid;
• Navigation in remote areas with map, compass, GPS

While BSC appreciates all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.