Careers @ MSU

Position Summary(Basic Job Function)

This is a temporary or an on-call position. Provides professional support. Responsibilities may include general business, science, medical, agricultural or other professional support functions. Term: Temps can work two (2) nine (9) month terms with a week break in service in between and at the end of the second term terminate for three (3) months or switch to an on-call. On-Call allowed to work 1039 hours in any twelve (12) month period.

Unit Position Summary

Experienced raptor bander needed from April 1 through May 31 for a collaborative project between Michigan State University and the Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch. The Mackinaw City banding site is a premier raptor location during spring migration in North America. This position is for a responsible and self-motivated biologist who can endure sitting out in the cold for more than 6 hours a day while helping to manage a banding site. This position also entails computer work to enter and manage banding data and station daily log data. This site captures over 200 raptors a season including SSHA, COHA, NOHA, MERL, RTHA, AMGO, RSHA, BWHA, RLHA and AMKE. The selected applicant will be provided housing near the field site in Mackinaw City, MI for the duration of the field season.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2 seasons of migration banding preferably with either owls or diurnal raptors. A minimum of 200 personally banded nocturnal or diurnal raptors is required.
• Able to correctly age, sex, and identify raptors of Eastern North America
• Experience running trap lines and use of a bow net
• Experience collecting blood and feather samples from diurnal raptors
• Experience with attachment of GPS transmitters on avian species

Desired Qualifications

• Must be an experienced and accomplished bander, with an eagerness to learn how to set-up, maintain, and take down a raptor trapping station while managing the station’s data.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

(1) Cover Letter, (2) Resume, and (3) Names, Phone Numbers, and E-mail Addresses of 3 references. 

Work Hours

Dependent on weather

Summary of Physical Demands

Working outside in cold weather conditions, lifting, power tool use.