Job Opportunities
Biologist-Educator for Bird Programs
Field Assistants
Biologist-Educator for Bird Programs
Audubon’s Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Description: Audubon California’s 4000-acre Starr Ranch Sanctuary in southeast Orange County, California solicits applicants for positions (2) as seasonal biologist-educator for bird programs. Both positions will integrate long term songbird monitoring into education programs that involve kids and adults in applied avian research.
November 2008 - March 2009: responsibilities include supervision of volunteers who assist with songbird banding during winter migrant monitoring (Monitoring Overwintering Survival or “MoSI”). Also will do data entry, data summary, and California Partners-in-Flight (Cal-PIF) point counts. Will instruct fall and winter Ecology Programs, 1-2 hour field research simulations that offer groups of all ages an opportunity to experience nature hands-on as wildlife biologists.
April - July 2009: will supervise volunteers who assist with long term songbird banding during breeding season (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship or “MAPS”). Will also conduct spring and summer area searches for songbirds in coastal sage scrub restoration sites, Cal-PIF point counts, and enter and summarize data. Will instruct spring Ecology Programs and also Starr Ranch Junior Biologists, spring and summer programs for kids ages 8 – 16, who join the Starr Ranch scientific team to experience how biologists study native animals and habitats.
Opportunity to do bird research that is integrated into Starr Ranch land management, conservation, and education programs. We seek applicants who wish to contribute to wildland conservation through research-based education and who are enthusiastic, dedicated, organized, self-starting and thorough. Opportunity to live in a cabin on our 4000-acre Sanctuary.
Salary: $750/week plus housing in a one bedroom cabin.
Qualifications: Graduate degree preferred in biology or ecology with strong ornithological background and experience. Background in bird banding and other bird monitoring techniques essential. Strong knowledge and interest in birds and bird watching and general natural history of animals and their habitats. Some experience in education desirable but must have enthusiasm for working with kids, adults, and families.
To Apply: Send cover letter stating career goals, résumé, and three letters of recommendation (recommendation letters can arrive separately) to: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Director - Research and Education; 100 Bell Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679; (949) 858-0309; fax (949) 858-1013.
For More Information: sdesimone@audubon.org; www.starr-ranch.org
FIELD ASSISTANTS
NON-CHEMICAL INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL AND RESTORATION
Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Audubon California's Starr Ranch Sanctuary in Trabuco Canyon, CA solicits applicants for positions as field assistants with our artichoke thistle control and needlegrass grassland/coastal sage scrub restoration project. This is a research-based program to control the invasive species, Cynara cardunculus (artichoke thistle), without chemicals and restore to rare native habitat. Must work well with people as part of a field crew who work on mechanical and physical removal of artichoke thistle and all aspects of invasive species control and restoration including non-chemical control of other invasive species, native seed collection and planting, experimental tests of weed removal and restoration techniques, and quantitative monitoring. Experience in plant sampling in the field desirable. Enthusiasm for working outdoors. Opportunity to live on our 4000-acre Sanctuary. Positions start in either October or November, 2008 or January 2009 and run six months from start dates.
Salary: $350/week plus housing (private rooms).
Qualifications: College graduates with ecological, biological, or conservation background who seek weed control, restoration and research experience.
To Apply: Send cover letter stating career goals, résumé, and two letters of recommendation (letters can arrive separately) to: Dr. Sandy DeSimone, Director of Research and Education; Starr Ranch Sanctuary, 100 Bell Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92679; ; (949) 858-0309; fax (949) 858-1013.
For more information: ; www.starr-ranch.org
