Wayne's Warbler Technician at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia

Job Description:

Position Number:

T0255W

Position Title:

Wayne's Warbler Technician

Employment Category:

Hourly - Temporary

Location:

William & Mary

Department:

359220 CCB Grants & Contracts

Unit Mission Statement:

The Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) is a research and education organization at the William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University dedicated to bird conservation.The CCB's mission, through all of its diverse programs, is to provide the global community with the information needed to drive thoughtful, science-based conservation, to educate and train the next generation of conservation scientists, and to make lasting contributions to the natural world through critical thinking, innovation, and ground-breaking research.

Position Summary:

The Center for Conservation Biology is seeking 2 technicians to conduct Wayne's black-throated green warbler surveys in southeast Virginia as well as nest searching and monitoring from March 10-June 15, 2025.
Wayne's warbler is a genetically unique form of black-throated green warbler (S. virens virens) that occurs in a disjunct breeding range along coastal swamps in the mid-Atlantic region. It is thought that Wayne's warblers were once primarily associated with extensive stands of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) but habitat preference may have broadened following the nearly complete logging of extensive white cedar in the early 1900s. An effort has emerged to petition Wayne's warbler for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but it is not clear how extensive the current distribution of Wayne's warbler is within Virginia. This project provides an opportunity to better understand Waynes's warbler range and abundance in Virginia as well as describing nests and other demographic information that is not well documented.
The study area for the project will be swamps and adjacent upland forests in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GDSNWR) and areas associated with the North, Northwest, Blackwater, and Nottoway Rivers in Virginia. Surveys will occur from the road and by boat, but the technician will venture into swampy habitats when nest searching, nest monitoring, and attempting to capture birds. Some roads are also inaccessible to vehicles due to insufficient maintenance so technician will also be required to walk or bike along roads at times. Boat work will be by canoe or kayak and motorboats. Housing will be provided at USFWS bunkhouse at the GDSNWR and private housing near Chesapeake Virginia. Field vehicles will also be provided, though the successful applicant can opt to drive a personal vehicle and be reimbursed for mileage at the government rate (0.62$/mile). Pay is 15.50/hour (~$2,688/month).
The applicant must be able to identify eastern songbirds by sight and sound. They must possess the ability to navigate using GPS and use a standardized survey protocol. Preference will be given to individuals that have mist netting and/or banding experience. Applicants will need to be physically capable of accomplishing the work and willing to work early mornings. Comfort in navigating small rivers and creeks with a kayak or canoe and any experience with motorized boats is preferred. Ability to operate a chaincsaw is preferred. Applicants must have a valid driver's license and will be required to pass a standard background check. Successful applicants will be highly organized and possess strong communication and interpersonal skills. Technicians will enter and proof all data. CCB manages several breeding season bird projects which, time allowing, the technician may be able to participate in.
William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.


REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience identifying eastern birds by sight and sound.
Physically capable of accomplishing the work.
Ability to use gps to navigate.
Working independently.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience in swamps.
Experience operating a chainsaw.
Experience operating a canoe or kayak or motorized boat
Experienced with mist nets and bird banding.

Conditions of Employment:

* This position may require driving or riding in a car or boat to access field sites.
* This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime for hours worked beyond 40 in a work week. This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc.
* This position requires driving or riding in cars and boats to field sites.
* The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions
* The ability to perform physically strenuous duties
* The ability to lift/carry 50 pounds
* The ability to occasionally work some weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (depending upon wildlife and weather)
* A valid driver's license, as well as a satisfactory driving record
* This position is a temporary (hourly) position not to exceed 6 months. All hourly employees are subject to the limitations of the Virginia Manpower Control Program and total hours worked may not exceed on average 29 hours per week, over the course of a twelve month period beginning May 1 each year.

Essential Designation:

No

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Position Restricted?:

Yes, this is a temporary position

Position Term:

Other (specify actual months below)

Required Qualifications:

* Secondary level coursework in biology or related field of study
* Experience identifying specific bird species by sight and sound as needed by each project
* Ability to work long hours outdoors, in hot or cold weather

Preferred Qualifications:

* Bird handling experience preferred
* Undergraduate degree in Biology or related field
* Experience working independently on a field research projects
* Familiarity with the geographic research region identified
* Experience with bird surveys in different environments, such as forest, wetlands, grassland, or desert
* Experience with bird surveys both on land and by boat
* Experience banding a variety of bird species
* Ability to camp independently, if needed

Is the position remote work eligible?:

Not eligible

Remote Work Disclaimer:

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

Advertised Pay Range:

$15.50/hour

Advertised Pay Range Statement:

This position has an established starting rate.

University Salary Range:

U04

Benefits Summary Statement:

N/A

Job Open Date:

11/21/2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Background Check Statement:

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement:

William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

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