Avian Survey Research Technician

Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu. If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions.

Current Employees and Students:

If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process.

Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site.  We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:

• Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.
• Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application. 

Job Title:

Avian Survey Research Technician

Department:

FAES | School of Environment and Natural Resources

We seek to hire an Avian Survey Research Technician to complete collection of avian field data and vegetation surveys to support a project aiming to inform the management and restoration of fragmented/disturbed forest habitats for birds in Ohio. The position will involve working with two other staff members to complete avian point count surveys across the state.

Position duties will include (1) Working independently to complete avian point counts (primary focus) and as part of a team to complete vegetation surveys (secondary focus) to support project data collection; and (2) entering and managing field data post-collection.

The fieldwork element of the role will involve sampling ~100 individual avian point locations twice across five sites within Ohio including Grace Drake Agricultural Research Station, OSUs Mansfield Campus, OUSs Pomerene Forest Laboratory, and two locations within OSU’s Eastern Agricultural Research Station. Ten minute point counts will be completed between dawn and 10am with multiple points (~5-6) visited per day. The candidate will be expected to work independently under the direction of project supervisors to complete surveys and collect data. The candidate will also be expected to drive between sites, stay overnight at site locations in order to complete early morning surveys, and complete data entry and management following site visits. It is critical that the candidate has excellent avian identification skills (aural and visual) suited to Ohio. Experience working on avian-related research projects is required, specific experience completing point counts and vegetation surveys is desirable, but not essential. Basic experience with data entry/management would be helpful. As terrain may be difficult, a good level of physical health is essential as many points are located in remote forested areas. Accommodation and travel for fieldwork will be covered as required. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Jo Peacock.

Functions: Implement sampling work and experimental design as directed to project specifications. Complete avian point counts Assist in vegetation sampling. Complete data entry. Work with other team members to complete sampling work and data entry to project specifications. Work independently to their own initiative with minimal supervision and be able to solve routine problems as they arise. Coordinate with project team to plan task allocation to maximize time efficiency. Communicate task progress and any arising issues with supervisors

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelors in relevant field or equivalent experience

1 year relevant experience with minimum education

Desired qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject Excellent visual and aural avian identification skills (birds of Ohio/Midwest)
• 1-2 years of experience in avian-focused fieldwork – point-count specific experience is desirable, but not essential as full training will be given.
• Experience completing vegetation surveys is desirable, but not essential as full training will be given.
• Basic experience with Excel
• Good interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
• Drivers license and personal vehicle
• Good level of physical fitness

Additional Information:

This job profile is a Research Technician 2 (T2 level) position on the career roadmap.

The salary