https://www.beavercreekreserve.org/about/employment/

PURPOSE: AmeriCorps members will provide capacity-building service to a 77-year-old nature center and 400-
acre reserve. Members’ focus will be to connect all people of the Chippewa Valley and northwestern Wisconsin
to nature by engaging them in citizen science.

OVERVIEW: Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR) is an environmental center founded in 1947. The 400-acre nature
reserve includes the Eau Claire County Youth Camp, the Wise Nature Center, Citizen Science Center and the
Hobbs Observatory. This unique combination of facilities provides a special atmosphere where people, young
and old alike, can discover, learn and appreciate the mysteries and miracles of the world where we live. Beaver
Creek Reserve is the bridge that connects what youth and adults learn in their everyday environment and adds
real-life tangible experiences that support growth and understanding of the natural world.

Beaver Creek has a long history of bird conservation. Beaver Creek has utilized citizen science to bring together
community members and bird conservation through leading bird hikes, bird banding, nest box monitoring, bird
surveys, and public outreach programs. Currently the BCR Avian Monitoring Program (AMP) includes three
monitoring projects, four banding projects, the Christmas Bird Count, Wisconsin Crane Count, and numerous
outreach programs.

Beaver Creek has over 700 acres of property, over nine miles of trails, and numerous educational spaces used
for outreach, training, and monitoring. The Avian Field Technician will be responsible for assisting with the
upkeep, maintenance, and conservation of these spaces. There is room for personal creativity and inspiration in this position.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Beaver Creek Reserve’s Avian Field Technician program has two goals. The first goal is to
provide the technician with quality training and hands-on experiences participating in and assisting with running
an avian citizen science station. The second goal is for the Avian Field Technician to assist the Citizen Science
Center in helping the Avian Monitoring Program run efficiently, effectively and professionally.
Some of the projects this position will work on include Weekly Feeder Bird banding, American Kestrel Nest Box
Monitoring, MAPS – Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship, the Christmas Bird Count, Bald Eagle Nest
Watch, Bluebird Restoration Project, Motus, Northern Saw-whet Owl Migration, and public outreach programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The main contact providing the coordination, scheduling, and communication for all bird banding and
  bird monitoring projects.
• Ensure proper and timely data management; complete all data entry for all projects.
• Coordinate and lead volunteer opportunities such as Wisconsin Crane Count, Christmas Bird Count,
  Backyard Bird Count, and Bald Eagle Nest Watch.
• Develop online training for research projects.
• Write annual reports.
• Maintain workstations and equipment.
• Develop and conduct education programs for youth and adults, in person and online.
• Assist with leading training programs.
• Create interpretive posters and signage for programs and events.
• Develop interpretive displays and exhibits.
• Research grant opportunities and apply for grants to fund specific projects.
• Be present at and attend offsite outreach events.
• Assist with recruitment, training, and scheduling of volunteers.
• Develop and assist in continuing education opportunities for volunteers.
• Assists with additional citizen science projects as needed.
• Contribute to marketing initiatives through newsletter, Facebook, and blog articles.
• Assist with maintenance and care of exhibits, buildings, and education areas.
• Help with annual special events.
• Assist with day-to-day operations at Beaver Creek Reserve.
• Work some evenings and weekends.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

This is an intensive position that requires the candidate to be highly self-motivated, creative, flexible, organized,
timely and independent. Seeking a candidate with knowledge and experience handling and banding birds.
Candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of common bird monitoring
databases, such as the Bird Banding Lab and Cornell NestWatch is highly recommended. The candidate does not
need to hold a federal banding permit. Ability to be permitted a bonus.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, or other natural resource degrees.
• Strong knowledge of birds and bird banding.
• Ability to identify the majority of Midwest birds by sight/song or willingness to learn.
• Experience extracting birds from mist nets; banding, identifying, aging, and sexing birds.
• Knowledge of Pyle, molt cycle and WRP a huge plus.
• Experience with Northern Saw-whet Owl banding a huge plus.
• Self-starter with an enthusiastic, friendly, and creative demeanor.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.
• Very important! Dependable and capable of working with limited supervision.
• Organized and punctual, committed to deadlines.
• Experience working with databases.
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Comfortable working in adverse weather conditions.
• Withstand the physical demands of work, which involves long hours, potential late nights or early
  mornings, some lifting of 50lbs, carrying, bending, and hiking across uneven terrain.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.

TRAINING:

• AmeriCorps Orientation training September 9-13, 2024. Virtual. Attendance required.
   Statewide Opening Ceremony in October offering a variety of speakers and professional development.
   Midterm training spring 2025. Location TBD. Attendance required.
   Monthly Team Meetings & AmeriCorps team building offered online the first Thursday of each month.
   Beaver Creek Reserve trainings – Bird Banding 101, Northern Saw-whet Owl bander training, American
  Kestrel monitoring training.

AmeriCorps RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Mid-term and final performance evaluations conducted by supervisor.
• Weekly timesheets.
• Member Service Plan for tracking achieved goals.
• Quarterly written reflections; and completion of foundational public health training, self-paced (16-20 hrs).
• Community Health training.
• Member surveys and exit survey.

REQUIREMENTS TO SERVE:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or legal permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Members must be at least 17 years of age by their start date (September 9, 2024)
• Members must have a HS Diploma, GED certificate, or must be working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service.
• Members must be able to pass a criminal, FBI and DMV background check.
• Members must accept position as a full-time priority over other jobs and be able to complete their term of service.

BENEFITS:

• Build your resume! You will gain impressive knowledge from a year-round, well-established citizen science program.
• A meaningful experience that allows you to learn new skills, take on new responsibilities and engage with your community in intensive and effective ways.
• Networking opportunities during year of service, and development of references for future employment, graduate school, Peace Corps or scholarships.
• Hands-on experience developing and presenting environmental education, caring for and educating with
  live animals, writing curriculum, and networking.
• The freedom to develop your own programming.
• Basic individual health, dental and vision insurance is available to full-time members only. There is no family plan option.
• Loan forbearance and interest accrual payments with qualified student loans.
• Childcare assistance available to AmeriCorps members serving in a full-time capacity. This assistance is only for those who need childcare to be able to serve and is based on household income eligibility.
• Mileage, meals and housing are provided for all required MCHS AmeriCorps trainings and events.
• Onsite housing available. Members who choose on-site housing should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program/organization/agency.