Departmental Assistant - Shorebird Field Technician

Title: Departmental Assistant - Shorebird Field Technician

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: College of Natural Sciences

Department: Environmental Conservation

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The Senner Lab in the Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking three field technicians to assist with research on shorebirds, including Hudsonian Godwit, Short-billed Dowitcher, Lesser Yellowleg, and Greater Yellowleg, in Beluga, Alaska. The start dates available are either 5/1/26 or 6/1/26 and goes until 7/10/26.

Essential Functions

Nest searching and monitoring.

Adult and chick capture, banding, tagging, and resighting.

Setting up and maintaining an array of trail cameras and receivers.

Invertebrate sampling, identification, and measurement.

Habitat characterization.

Other Functions

Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, equality and inclusiveness.

Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications

Interest in avian ecology, animal movement, and species interactions.

Prior experience conducting ecological fieldwork.

Ability to walk long hours in physically demanding settings.

Ability to carefully record and enter data.

Comfortable living and sleeping in close quarters.

Comfortable using ATVs for transportation.

Strong work ethic, eagerness to learn fieldwork and research methods, and ability to work well on a team and independently in challenging physical conditions and sometimes stressful scenarios. Applicant must be adaptable, communicative, cooperative, and detail oriented.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior bird handling and camera trapping experience.

Familiarity with shorebird identification by sight and sound.

Familiarity with invertebrate identification to orders.

Additional Details

This position requires working in muskeg bogs under challenging physical conditions - including biting insects, bright sun, rain, and walking long distances.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. These values and goals are reflected in the College of Natural Sciences' Inclusive Excellence framework and in the UMass Amherst's For the Common Good: 2024-2034 Strategic Plan.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in indoor and/or outdoor environments, and requires frequent lifting, bending, tool use or equipment use. May involve work in confined spaces or at heights.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, hours vary. Up to 40 hours/week

Salary Information

Hourly Rate: $15.00

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please submit a single PDF containing your cover letter, resume, preferred start date (May 1 or June 1), and contact information for two references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.