Painted Bunting Field Technician - Georgia Coast

Overview: The Rushing Population Ecology Lab at the University of Georgia (UGA) is seeking 1-2 field technicians to assist with research on Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) resource use and movement ecology on the Georgia Coast. This project seeks to understand how ecological restoration efforts can utilize fine-scale movement data to quantify habitat quality for a declining migratory bird, the Painted Bunting. The technician will work full-time alongside a PhD student and assist with all aspects of fieldwork.

Primary fieldwork responsibilities include: 

• Catching and banding birds using mist nets
• Assisting with applying radio transmitters on birds
• Tracking birds using handheld radio telemetry
• Nest searching and monitoring
• Conducting avian point counts

Secondary responsibilities may include: 

• Installation and maintenance of automated radio telemetry units and RFID bird feeders
• Conducting arthropod/seed sampling
• Performing vegetative surveys
• Identifying and processing arthropod and plant samples
• Outreach to the public

Daily monitoring activities may include a bicycle ride (up to 8 miles/day) with field equipment and hiking (up to 5 miles/day) in summer heat and buggy conditions. Field work often occurs in harsh conditions that may include biting insects, heat, wind, and rain. Successful applicants will be experienced at bird banding and be able to make good decisions/ adapt on the fly. Successful applicants will also have an interest in avian ecology, strong work ethic, eagerness to learn, positive attitude, effective communication skills, and a willingness to work in harsh field conditions.

This position provides exciting opportunities to learn new skills and collaborate with conservation professionals on the Georgia Coast while advancing the candidate’s career goals. The technician will either reside on Little Saint Simons Island, Georgia, a 11,000-acre undeveloped barrier island (accessible only by boat), or the Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe outside of Savannah, Georgia (accessible by car). The technician residing at Wormsloe will reside at the site independently and serve as a point person for the work. Preference will be given to applicants with passerine banding, handling, and nest searching experience (although it is not required). Housing is provided at both sites.

Key Details:

• Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis, December 23rd deadline
• Dates: April 14 – June 20, 2025 (flexible)
• Pay: $16/hour, 40 hours/week