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.