Natural Resources Job Board

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!