Natural Resources Job Board

 

The Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) at Boise State University is hiring Grassland Bird Community Technicians to support a study in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Northern Great Plains Sustainable Ranching Initiative. Technicians will conduct breeding bird surveys in one of the few intact temperate grasslands left in the world, occurring on privately-owned collaborative ranching conservation program lands in eastern Montana, western Nebraska, north-eastern Wyoming, and north-western South Dakota. These data will inform the development of sustainable grazing practices supporting grassland conservation practices that promote biodiversity.  Technicians should expect to begin work on ~May 18th and to perform their duties at a professional quality and rate of completion through ~July 17th. Technicians may have the opportunity to extend employment depending on 2026 IBO project needs and job performance. 

Compensation is $18.00–19.50/hr, based on experience, 40hrs/wk for the duration of the season (please note that this position is FLSA exempt). Weekly work schedules are flexible, largely determinant on survey completion rate and weather. This position requires daily travel between survey sites and overnight camping in undeveloped and remote areas. Technicians will work (and live) independently for the majority of the duration of this position. 

Technicians will have the option to use either a personal 4WD/AWD vehicle (preferred) or be provided with a 4WD rental vehicle at the start of the season. Personal vehicles must be able to handle variable road conditions characteristic of the region, e.g., muddy, and rocky terrain. Applicant must have a safe driving record for rental vehicle use. All work-related mileage incurred in execution of responsibilities using a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate. All other work-related expenses, e.g., rental car fuel, incurred in execution of responsibilities will be fully paid for by IBO. 

IBO will provide pertinent training, survey equipment, and safety gear (e.g., inReach satellite communication safety device, bear spray, first-aid kit, tire repair kit, tow strap) to technicians at the beginning of the season, before beginning fieldwork.
 
Applicants: please submit to this WWF Grassland Bird Community Application Form a single PDF that includes a one-page cover letter briefly describing your interest in this position and summarizing your qualifications, and a resume or CV with 3 references. Please reach out to Colin Jensen (colinjensen@boisestate.edu) with any questions or concerns. 

We will review applications and offer positions on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

*Please note that IBO is currently hiring for several projects occurring before, after and during this advertised field season, including IMBCR positions occurring simultaneously in Montana, southern Idaho, and Utah (UT beginning in early May). Please voice interest within your application if you would like more information or to be considered for any other positions with IBO. 

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At Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), we work to impact human lives and significantly contribute to bird conservation through a unique combination of cooperative research, education, discovery of the natural world, and community engagement.

We at IBO strongly encourage interested technicians to expand their experience and skills by contributing to other IBO projects throughout their time with us. IBO research projects include surveys for Cassia Crossbills, Pinyon Jays, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, shorebirds, and woodpeckers, as well as MAPS songbird banding and hummingbird banding. Please visit our website to learn more about our organization and the projects we work on!
 
 

 

The Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) at Boise State University is hiring seasonal avian field technicians to contribute to a large-scale breeding bird monitoring program (Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions, "IMBCR") across Idaho in spring/summer 2026. Primary responsibilities include conducting standardized avian point count and vegetation surveys, and data entry. Technicians should expect to begin work on ~May 18th and to perform their duties at a professional quality and rate of completion through ~July 17th. Technicians may have the opportunity to extend employment depending on 2026 IBO project needs and job performance.

Compensation is $18.00–19.50/hr (DOE), 40hrs/wk for the duration of the season (please note that this position is FLSA exempt). Weekly work schedules are flexible, largely determinant on survey completion rate and weather. This position requires daily travel between survey sites and overnight camping in undeveloped and remote areas. Most surveys sites are accessible by vehicle, but a small amount require short overnight backpacking trips (<10 mi hike in). Technicians will work (and live) independently for the majority of the duration of this position.

Technicians will have the opportunity to observe a large suite of interesting bird species, work in proximity to charismatic megafauna, and travel to beautiful and historic locations significant to the American West. Surveys are in a wide variety of habitats that occur in the region, including grassland, shrubsteppe, riparian, pinyon-juniper, montane forest, and alpine ecosystems. Surveys occur on both public and private lands.

Technicians have the option to use either a personal 4WD/AWD vehicle (preferred) or be provided with a 4WD/AWD rental vehicle for the season. Personal vehicles must be able to handle variable road conditions characteristic of the region, e.g., muddy, rocky, and steep terrain. Applicant must have a clean driving record for rental vehicle use. All work-related mileage incurred in execution of responsibilities using a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate. All other work-related expenses, e.g., rental vehicle fuel, incurred in execution of responsibilities will be fully paid for by IBO. 

IBO will provide pertinent training, survey equipment, and safety gear (e.g., inReach satellite communication safety device, bear spray, first-aid kit, tire repair kit, tow strap, etc.) to technicians before beginning fieldwork. 

 

Applicants: using the subject line "2026 Idaho IMBCR Application”, please email a single PDF document that includes a one-page cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, and a resume or CV with 3 professional references, to Jeremy Halka (jeremyhalka@boisestate.edu). We will review applications and offer positions on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

 
**Please note that IBO is currently hiring for several projects occurring before, after, and during this advertised field position, including IMBCR positions occurring simultaneously in Montana and Utah. Please voice interest within your application if you would like more information or to be considered for any other positions with IBO. 

 
At Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), we work to impact human lives and significantly contribute to bird conservation through a unique combination of cooperative research, education, discovery of the natural world, and community engagement. 

 
We at IBO strongly encourage interested technicians to expand their experience and skills by contributing to other IBO projects throughout their time with us. IBO research projects include surveys for Cassia Crossbills, Pinyon Jays, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, shorebirds, and woodpeckers, as well as MAPS songbird banding and hummingbird banding. Please visit our website to learn more about our organization and the projects we work on! 

The Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO) at Boise State University is hiring seasonal avian field technicians to contribute to a large-scale breeding bird monitoring program (Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions, "IMBCR") across southern and central Utah in spring/summer 2026. Primary responsibilities include conducting standardized avian point count and vegetation surveys, and data entry. Technicians should expect to begin work on ~May 4th and to perform their duties at a professional quality and rate of completion through ~July 10th. Technicians may have the opportunity to extend employment depending on 2026 IBO project needs and job performance.

Compensation is $18.00–19.50/hr (DOE), 40hrs/wk for the duration of the season (please note that this position is FLSA exempt). Weekly work schedules are flexible, largely determinant on survey completion rate and weather. This position requires daily travel between survey sites and overnight camping in undeveloped and remote areas. Most surveys sites are accessible by vehicle, but a small amount require short overnight backpacking trips (<10 mi hike in). Technicians will work (and live) independently for the majority of the duration of this position.

Technicians will have the opportunity to observe a large suite of interesting bird species, work in proximity to charismatic megafauna, and travel to beautiful and historic locations significant to the American West. Surveys are in a wide variety of habitats that occur in the region, including grassland, shrubsteppe, riparian, pinyon-juniper, montane forest, and alpine ecosystems. Surveys occur on both public and private lands.

Technicians have the option to use either a personal 4WD/AWD vehicle (preferred) or be provided with a 4WD/AWD rental vehicle for the season. Personal vehicles must be able to handle variable road conditions characteristic of the region, e.g., muddy, rocky, and steep terrain. Applicant must have a clean driving record for rental vehicle use. All work-related mileage incurred in execution of responsibilities using a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate. All other work-related expenses, e.g., rental vehicle fuel, incurred in execution of responsibilities will be fully paid for by IBO. 

 

IBO will provide pertinent training, survey equipment, and safety gear (e.g., inReach satellite communication safety device, bear spray, first-aid kit, tire repair kit, tow strap, etc.) to technicians before beginning fieldwork. 

Applicants: using the subject line "2026 Utah IMBCR Application", please email a single PDF document that includes a one page cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, and a resume or CV with 3 professional references, to Jeremy Halka (jeremyhalka@boisestate.edu). We will review applications and offer positions on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. 

**Please note that IBO is currently hiring for several projects occurring before, after, and during this advertised field position, including IMBCR positions occurring simultaneously in Idaho and Montana. Please voice interest within your application if you would like more information or to be considered for any other positions with IBO. 

At IBO, we work to impact human lives and significantly contribute to bird conservation through a unique combination of cooperative research, education, discovery of the natural world, and community engagement. 

We at IBO strongly encourage interested technicians to expand their experience and skills by contributing to other IBO projects throughout their time with us. IBO research projects include surveys for Cassia Crossbills, Pinyon Jays, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, shorebirds, woodpeckers, and high-elevation bird communities, as well as MAPS songbird banding and hummingbird banding. Please visit our website to learn more about our organization and the projects we work on! 

At Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), we work to impact human lives and significantly contribute to bird conservation through a unique combination of cooperative research, education, discovery of the natural world, and community engagement. We are looking for 8 avian biologists to join our team to help with Pinyon Jay surveys and colony monitoring, with 2 in Wyoming, 2 in Utah, and 4 in Southern Idaho. Duties will include survey site scouting, conducting Pinyon Jay surveys and vegetation surveys, monitoring colony activity, data entry, and keeping an updated daily log of surveys and mileage. Our project needs vary across each state, but generally include colony surveys and monitoring, nest searching, with banding and transmitter deployment at locations in southern Idaho. All positions will include survey site scouting, conducting Pinyon Jay area search and vegetation surveys, monitoring breeding colony activity, data entry, and keeping an updated daily log of surveys and mileage. Additional duties for those located in Idaho (funding dependent) will include deploying and supplying seed at capture stations, the remote deployment and maintenance of autonomous recording devices and trail cameras, and assisting with project logistics as necessary. Positions will begin between February 23rd and March 23rd (location dependent), for a total of 10-20 weeks, with a possibility for continuing work on other projects through the end of October. Technicians conduct surveys in potentially suitable habitats, including shrub-steppe, pinyon-juniper, and other coniferous forest types.

Note: Field work will occur in remote locations and will require winter camping, field navigation, observing and documenting avian activity, and recording relevant information. The work schedule is 10 days on and 4 days off, and will require work on weekends.

Qualifications: 
• Ability to identify Pinyon Jays and other Corvid species by sound and sight.
• Candidates must be able to follow all safety protocols and use good judgment while in the field.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team in remote areas and a stationary field station for the field season.
• Strong physical and mental endurance to work long days in potentially challenging conditions (snow, mud, etc.)
• Ability to navigate off-trail in remote, snowy, steep, and rugged landscapes using topographical maps and GPS units
• Be physically capable of hiking up to 10 miles a day in rugged terrain individually and in pairs
• Experience driving in winter conditions and use of 4WD vehicles.
• Careful and accurate data collection/entry/management.
• Strong interpersonal skills for communicating and working effectively with program managers, fellow technicians, and private landowners

Technicians must have a valid driver's license, proof of auto insurance, clean driving record, and use either their personal 4WD/high clearance or an IBO-provided rental vehicle. Winter camping, often without phone service or facilities, will be required by all technicians.

Please visit our website and Instagram, or check out our 2024 newsletter to learn more about our organization and the projects we work on!

There are opportunities to extend employment until the end of July to work on other projects if desired.

To Apply: Please submit your application via this Google Form with a single PDF document that includes a one-page cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for the position, resume, and contact information of three references. We will review applications and offer positions on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.   

If you have missed the deadline for this application, please check out our website for currently available positions!