Field Team Leader for Bicknell´s Thrush Geolocator Study

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Bird Studies Canada (BSC) - Atlantic Region is seeking a highly skilled field biologist to lead a field project to retrieve geolocators from Bicknells Thrush in highland regions of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for 8 weeks beginning on May 31 2010. The successful candidate will be tasked with finding and capturing (using mist nets) Bicknell´s Thrush that were fitted with geolocators in 2009, retrieving the geolocators and downloading the data, and deploying new geolocators on after-second-year birds. Blood, feather and toenail samples may also be taken from each individual bird. Time permitting, the successful candidate may also be asked to help with additional BSC projects such as the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas and/or the High Elevation Landbird Program, both of which require the ability to identify birds by sight and sound. Fieldwork will be carried out in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and the north-central highlands of New Brunswick.

The following skills and experience are required:

• Extensive experience mist-netting, banding, aging, handling, and blood-sampling birds;
• Comfortable working long days starting early in the morning;
• Able to work independently and make rapid decisions in the field;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Supervising a field assistant;
• Tent-camping (especially in remote areas)

Candidates must also be legally entitled to work in Canada and have a valid drivers license.

Additional asset skills:

• Fitting birds with transmitters or geolocators;
• Bander Certification (North American Banding Council);
• Ability to identify eastern birds by sight and sound;
• First Aid Certification, preferably Wilderness First Aid (note: successful candidates must obtain first aid certification prior to start date);
• Navigation in remote areas with map, compass, GPS.

Salary: $600/week plus legal benefits (EI, CPP and vacation pay). Food and accommodation (will include tent camping) are provided