PRBO has recurring seasonal hiring needs as well as full-time hiring needs which will appear here when positions become available.
PRBO’s Vision
PRBO’s highest priority is to reduce negative impacts of changes in land-use, climate and the ocean on birds and ecosystems while fostering adaptation to the changes ahead. Working in partnership with wildlife and habitat management agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, and private interests, PRBO is helping to ensure that every dollar invested in conservation yields the most for biodiversity - benefiting our environment, our economy and our communities.
We envision that over the next ten years, PRBO will become one of the world’s leading sources of avian and ecosystem data, analysis, and applications to advance conservation effectiveness globally. PRBO will significantly increase the scope and scale of its bird ecology and ecosystem research, outreach and partnerships to strategically address global ecological challenges including habitat change, climate change, and food web change. We will conduct further research on how ecological processes are affected by global change and collaboratively develop, disseminate and implement science-based solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of these changes.
Full-time Positions
NONE AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CHECK BACK!
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Seasonal Positions
PRBO TOMKAT RANCH FIELD RESEARCH ASSISTANT
One field research assistant position available for songbird monitoring on TomKat Ranch in Pescadero, California.
Duration: Approximate dates: 16 April - July 15, 2012.
Job Description: Primary duties include multi-species point counts, vegetation surveys, and data entry. Other minor duties include mist-netting, frog surveys, orienteering, driving ATVs and participation in TomKat education programs. You will be repeatedly and unavoidably exposed to large amounts of poison oak.
Qualifications: Successful candidates must be able to identify over 100 bird species by sight and sound following training and be able to hike cross-country in rough, steep terrain. Candidates with a strong background in bird identification by sight and sound and/or previous experience point counting are preferred. For all positions we require willingness to work in poison oak, self-motivation, good physical condition, and the ability to work well independently.
Compensation: $2800/month plus provided housing
To Apply: In one document (PDF or MS Word), email a letter of interest describing previous field research experience, relevant coursework, specific dates of availability, a resume, and contact information for three references to: Carlie Henneman email: chenneman@prbo.org. Please note if you are applying to other PRBO Conservation Science positions.
FIELD TECHNICIANS (3-4) to Survey Yellow-billed Cuckoos
Location: Sacramento Valley, CA.
Duration: June 1 to August 31, 2012
Application Deadline: 03/01/2012
Job Description: Field technicians (3-4) are needed by for a survey of Yellow-billed Cuckoos in riparian habitat in the Sacramento River Valley, CA (along the Sacramento and Feather Rivers). The western Yellow-billed Cuckoo is a state endangered species that historically bred in riparian forests throughout the state. The goal of this project is to survey one of the remaining areas hosting nesting cuckoos to determine their population status. Duties will include conducting call-playback surveys, vegetation assessments, data entry, and some nest searching. Positions begin on June 1, 2012 and end August, 31 2012. Through the position you will learn the call-playback survey technique, observation and data keeping skills, and gain an interesting perspective on this secretive species. Salary is ~$2500/mo (gross) plus housing. We will likely be based out of Chico, CA and possibly camping some nights. More information about the project can be found at www.prbo.org/cuckoo.
Qualifications: The positions require working in challenging conditions such as early and long hours, hot weather, and dense vegetation. Applicants will need a vehicle they are willing to use for field work, as we will be driving to different sites each day (mileage reimbursed). Positions require experience with bird identification and navigating with a map and GPS unit. It is also helpful if you have avian or wildlife surveying experience. Among the most important qualifications are self-motivation and the ability to spend long hours in the field observing birds.
To Apply: Online applications preferred, http://www.prbo.org/interns/ (select Central Valley as your first choice) or email/mail a letter of interest describing previous experience with field research, specific dates of availability, whether or not you have a vehicle, a resume, and contact information for three references (Please note if applying to other positions within PRBO) to MARK DETTLING, PRBO Conservation Science, PO Box 1157 Bolinas, CA 94924 (PH:734-812-8441, EM: mdettling AT prbo.org).
POINT COUNT TECHNICIANS NEEDED (2-3)
Duration: 15 April – 15 July 2012 (with 1 position possible extension until 15 August)
PRBO Conservation Science (founded as Point Reyes Bird Observatory in 1965), a non-profit ecological research organization based in Petaluma, California, is seeking skilled field technicians to assist in a new effort to monitor riparian songbird communities in California’s Central Valley. Field technicians will conduct point count surveys in riparian areas along the Sacramento and/or San Joaquin Rivers. Lodging will be provided. Field work will take place early mornings (surveys begin at sunrise), with potential for extreme heat and humidity. Accessing some survey sites will require interacting with private landowners. Technicians will also be responsible for data entry.
Salary range: $2300-2800/month, DOE.
Qualifications: Applicants must be in good physical condition, have experience identifying western birds by sight and by ear, and should own a good pair of binoculars and be ready and able to start each work day before sunrise. Applicants must also possess a valid driver’s license, and be willing to use their personal vehicle for travel to field sites (mileage reimbursed at $0.51/mile). We are particularly interested in applicants with prior experience conducting avian point counts, interacting with rural landowners, and navigating using maps, aerial photos, and GPS. Attention to detail and good time management skills are also helpful.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter describing interest and qualifications, your dates of availability, a CV or resume, and contact information for 3 references via email (“Central Valley Field Tech” in Subject line) to Michelle Gilbert (mgilbert@prbo.org). Applications will be reviewed as they are received and accepted until the positions are filled, but no later than March 1, 2012.
SEABIRD FIELD TECHNICIANS- CENTRAL / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
PRBO Conservation Science seeks two field technicians for seabird monitoring projects in central and southern California. PRBO has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and California's MPA Monitoring Enterprise to monitor seabird populations along the central and southern California coast. Over the next 3-5 years, PRBO will collect baseline data on annual population size, breeding success, diet and foraging distribution and rates of human disturbance at serveral sites. The data will be used to guide the adaptive management of the Seabird Protection Network and California's Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.
Hours: Full-time, seasonal, no benefits
Position Duration: 1 April through 31 July, 2012, with potential for annual reappointment.
Duties / Description: The field technician will spend most of his/her time training in the field collecting data on seabird population and breeding dynamics, diet and foraging habits, and roosting ecology. The field technician will also be responisble for supervision of intern(s), data entry, and data quality checking.
Qualifications / Requirements: Candidate must have or be within one year of completing a B.S. in biology or other related field and have at least one year of experience collecting wildlife data. Candidates with seabird monitoring experience preferred. Candidates must be able to work in a group setting and in tough environmental conditions. Candidates with an interest in marine biology or oceanography are encouraged to apply.
To apply: Email resume, cover letter, and 3-5 references with phone numbers to Dan Robinette at drobinette@prbo.org
PRBO SIERRA NEVADA BIRD MONITORING
--ALL POSITIONS FILLED- CHECK BACK NEXT YEAR! --
Up to 20 positions available, including several crew supervisors on multiple songbird monitoring projects in the Sierra Nevada of California.
Project dates: 25 April through 10 August 2012 (end date is flexible after 27 July for some positions).
Description: This program offers a unique opportunity to explore and observe birds in some of the most beautiful landscapes in California, across a wide range of habitats, while collecting data to guide forest management in the ecologically significant Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades. Field work covers a vast profile of elevations in coniferous forest, aspen, oak, meadow, and chaparral habitats.
Primary duties include, but are not limited to: conducting multiple-species avian point counts, vegetation surveys, data entry, navigating cross-country in mountain terrain and driving government-owned 4×4 vehicles. Up to 6 positions in the northern Sierra also include monitoring woodpecker nests and 2 positions involve 15 days of mist-netting.
Compensation: $2773/month for technician positions and $3100/mo for supervisory positions with work vehicles provided. Housing will be secured for field crews at approximately $250 – 300/mo. Field housing locations (subject to change) are near Chester, Quincy, South Lake Tahoe and Shaver Lake, CA.
Qualifications:
- All successful candidates must be able to identify over 100 bird species by sight and sound following three weeks of training and be able to navigate cross-country in complex mountainous terrain.
- Candidates with a strong background in western bird identification by sight and sound and/or previous experience point counting multiple species are strongly preferred.
- Supervisory experience is preferred for crew leader candidates and previous banding experience is required for mist-netting positions.
- For all positions we require self-motivation, an enthusiasm for travel and camping, strong physical condition, the ability to cope with snow and inclement weather, willingness to spend long hours in the field observing birds six days per week and the ability to work well independently and in a group living situation.
- Most positions require significant travel between remote sites, front-country camping 5 days/week, and some positions require backpacking in remote areas.
- Successful applicants will need a valid U.S. driver’s license and will be asked to provide information to verify their driving record.
To apply: send a single document (PDF or Word Doc) including a letter of interest describing previous field research experience and interest in this position, specific dates of availability, geographic location preference (if any), a resume, and contact information for three references to ALISSA FOGG (afogg at prbo.org) and BRENT CAMPOS (bcampos at prbo.org). Type Sierra bird crew 2012 in the subject line. Closing date is January 15, 2012 but interviews will begin in December and qualified candidates will be hired as they are identified. Please note if you are applying to other PRBO Conservation Science positions.
