Field Technician for Community Ecology and Seed Dispersal Network Project

Title: Field Technician for Community Ecology and Seed Dispersal Network Project

Location: North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

Agency: University of Wyoming

Type: Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Website: https://www.facebook.com/hawaii.vine.project/

Salary: $1000 per month plus housing, utilities, and shared use of vehicle. If you already live on Oahu and pay for your own housing and utilities, we will come up an adjusted salary.

Start date: ~May 1, 2021

End date: ~Aug 31, 2021

Last date to apply: 2/15/2021

We are seeking technicians to work on a research project on Oahu, Hawaii as part of the Hawaii V.I.N.E. (Vertebrate Introductions and Novel Ecosystems) project, a collaboration across multiple universities (UH Manoa, UWy, NAU, and UIUC). The project is investigating the impacts of a dominant invasive plant on seed dispersal in Hawaiian mesic and wet forest ecosystems. Native species extinctions and non-native species introductions have dramatically changed the Hawaiian forest species composition. Although many native plants depend on birds for seed dispersal, on Oahu there are no longer any native frugivorous birds to provide this function. Instead a suite of non-native birds are dispersing seeds. Additionally, invasive plants often dominate seed dispersal networks with impacts to native plant seed dispersal. This project will focus on (1) experimentally removing the most dominant invasive plant to identify impacts to the seed dispersal network, (2) quantifying all bird frugivory in experimental and control plots through wildlife cameras, and (3) monitoring birds and plants in all plots. Field work will include wildlife camera set-up and maintenance, invasive species fruit removal, vegetation surveys, and bird point counts. Data management will include data entry and camera and SD card management. The candidate selected for this position will work on a field crew of 6-8 people including other technicians, crew leader, and graduate students. Must be able to work in rugged terrain in challenging field conditions. Fieldwork will involve long days of strenuous hiking and heavy lifting in temperamental weather conditions.

Start date is May 1, 2021 with a four month field season through Aug 31, 2021. Dates are subject to slight changes owing to unforeseen circumstances associated with COVID-19. Technicians will be provided with housing, utilities, a living stipend of $1,000 per month, and shared access to vehicles. If you already live on Oahu and pay for your own housing and utilities, we will come up with an adjusted salary.

Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resources, wildlife management, botany, ecology or a related field and field experience pertaining to wildlife biology or botany are required. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in tropical ecosystems, avian ecology, plant ecology, and/or a demonstrated knowledge of Hawaiian plants. Applicant must be responsible, organized, and comfortable living and working as a team. An enthusiasm for research and fieldwork is essential, as well as patience and a strong work ethic.

Contact: Application must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information (email and phone) for 3 references familiar with your field work experience as a single PDF document. Please email your applications materials to the Hawaii VINE Project (VINE.Hawaii@gmail.com) with the subject line “Application for Field Technician”. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applications will not be accepted after February 15, 2021.

All field technicians that are hired must agree to abide by the COVID-19 policies in place at the time when traveling to Hawaii.

The University of Wyoming is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law and University policy.  Please see www.uwyo.edu/diversity/fairness. We conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment.  Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of the background check.