Crew Leader Positions in Seabird Ecology and Restoration Projects

Seasonal Crew Leaders for Seabird Ecology/Restoration Project

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University has openings for a Crew Leader positions within a Seabird Ecology/Restoration Project studying diet and behavioral ecology of Caspian terns, Double-crested cormorants, and several gull species in coastal and southeast Oregon, the upper Columbia River basin, and northern California. Studies will include on-colony behavioral and productivity observations, surveys to determine nesting and foraging distribution (using vehicles, boats, and aircraft), and diet sampling to determine the diet of piscivorous waterbirds.  This is an on-going project in collaboration with researchers from the USGS – Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Real Time Research, a private consulting firm.  These positions provide excellent field research experience and employees can expect to learn a great deal about seabird biology. Further information about the project can be viewed at http://www.birdresearchnw.org

LOCATION:         Crew Leader position in Adel, Oregon.

SALARY:  $2450.00 per month salary, shared housing and some food is provided.

DATES:  Full time seasonal positions with anticipated starting dates of April 11, 2012. Anticipated ending date of August 31, 2012, however, the positions may go longer.

REQUIREMENTS:  Applicants must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver’s License.  Boat handling experience and knowledge of seabird biology is required.  Crew Leaders will be employed through a temporary hiring agency and will be required to pass a drug screening and background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Applicants should have a strong interest in avian ecology, feel comfortable working on small boats (current Department of Interior motor boat operator certification a plus), and be a good swimmer. Preference will be given for seabird monitoring and research experience, fish identification ability, supervisory and/or field crew leadership experience, skilled firearm use (at some sites), and possession of a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science or a related field.

DUTIES:  Crew Leaders will coordinate field crew activities, relay detailed instructions to crew members, collect data, monitor data collection and adherence to data collection protocols by the field technicians, prepare weekly reports, communicate with field coordinators and principle investigators, and make quick decisions in response to unforeseen or changing situations.  Crew Leaders will act as a liaison to crew house property owners and ensure proper care and maintenance of rental housing. Positions require long hours (sometimes in bad weather) with infrequent and irregular time off.  The work is physically strenuous and involves crawling on knees, bending over or stooping and sitting for extended periods of time.  All employees will be required to use binoculars or spotting scopes for extended periods of time. All duties must be performed with a high degree of quality, uniformity, and timeliness. The employee must work as a team member and may be required to live and work in close quarters and in isolated settings for extended periods of time. In addition to the duties list above, field site preparation and maintenance is required. Field site preparation and maintenance can be physically demanding and all employees will be expected to assist with those duties.

APPLICATIONS:  A complete application must consist of an attached single document (Word or PDF) containing; 1) a one page cover letter addressing your qualifications as they relate to the specific requirements, qualifications, and duties described above, 2) a professional resume, and 3) telephone numbers and email addresses of three references familiar with the applicant’s professional qualifications. Application Documents must be named with the following format; Lastname_Firstname_2012CrewLead.  MS word files preferred. For full consideration apply by ASAP.

 

SUBMIT TO:        Peter Loschl AND Tim Lawes at avian.jobs@oregonstate.edu with subject line: seabird 2012 crew lead

 

Email submissions preferred or send hard copies to:

Peter Loschl and Tim Lawes

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Oregon State University

104 Nash Hall

Corvallis, OR, 97331-3803

 

If you have specific questions regarding these positions, please contact Peter Loschl pete.loschl@oregonstate.edu or Tim Lawes timothy.lawes@oregonstate.edu.

OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN AA/EOE.