MFBRP Kupu Conservation Leader

MFBRP KUPU AmeriCorps Assistant(s) needed for habitat restoration and native forest bird studies focused on preventing the extinction of Kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill, Pseudonestor xanthophrys), a critically endangered honeycreeper, on Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii. One position available for a period of 10 months, starting October 2018. Assistants will be responsible for both field and office duties with Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project (MFBRP).   

Primary field duties will be: supporting the reintroduction and monitoring of the Kiwikiu (resighting birds and using radio telemetry to track them); assisting with forest restoration (collecting seeds, planting seedlings, controlling invasive weeds, and monitoring vegetation plots); predator control trapping; assisting with mist-net setup, extraction of forest birds, and banding/processing forest birds. 

Office duties include, but are not limited to office, vehicle and grounds maintenance, data entry, preparation and maintenance of field equipment, and assisting with public outreach and education.   

Field duties are extremely physically challenging. Remote research sites require extensive hiking in steep, high elevation terrain. This position also requires living and working in small teams in wet and cold conditions as well as dry and hot conditions. Helicopters are used to supply field camps. Basic aviation safety training is available. Camping is required for most field work. Work schedule will include 5-10 day field trips one to two times per month and alternating days in the office.  

Preference will be given to applicants who have experience with forest restoration, predator control, passerine research, public outreach, and working in wilderness settings. Must be able to perform small mammal kill trapping. Assistants must be able to work and live in remote field camps under extremely physically and mentally demanding conditions, to work independently and responsibly, have a good work ethic, take personal initiative and must have a valid driver’s license. 

Desirable qualifications include a B.S. in ecology, biology, ornithology, botany or similar field; forest restoration work; research with endangered birds; color-band resighting; avian point counts; mist-netting and banding; forest restoration; Wilderness First Aid certification. 

Benefits include: 

• Earn a $1,600 monthly living allowance (subject to taxes) 
• Earn a $5,920 Education Award (similar to a scholarship) towards higher education 
• Opportunity for interest earned on certain educational loans (during the internship term) to be paid for by AmeriCorps 
• Complete over 1700 hours of environmental community service 
• Health care and childcare benefits (if eligible) 
• Housing in shared field house (provided by MFBRP) 
• Most field equipment  
• Limited transportation in upcountry Maui (provided by MFBRP) 
• An opportunity to work in Hawaiian forests and gain field experience in avian conservation with a highly endangered species and in ecosystem management. 

Applicants must provide their own airfare to Kahului, Maui, if applicable. 

To apply, please visit: https://kupuhawaii.tfaforms.net/138. For more information about the Kupu Americorps position, please see: http://www.kupuhawaii.org/conservation/. Deadline to apply is June 30. Two letters of recommendation are required. Please indicate “forest bird work” on your application. This is a position supported by the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife and US AmeriCorps. It is administered by KUPU Hawaii.  

If you have any further questions please email info@mauiforestbirds.org or call 808-573-0280. Visit www.mauiforestbirds.org as well.  

You can also call (808) 735-1221 or e-mail acprograms@kupuhawaii.org should you have additional questions about the application.