Title: Departmental Assistant - Common and Roseate Terns

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 at UMass in the Department of Environmental Conservation is looking for two field technicians. The position will support a collaborative U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-funded project – along with Dr. Peter Paton at the University of Rhode Island – to collect field data on Great Gull Island, NY. The preferred candidate will be enrolled or graduated from an undergraduate program in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, or a related field, and will have field experience working in a remote tern colony collecting demographic and provisioning data.

Essential Functions

Help to monitor Common and Roseate Terns on Great Gull Island.

Read Plastic Field Readable bands on both species from blinds using a spotting scope.

Assist with banding of adult terns.

Monitor tagged terns to assess the potential impacts of satellite transmitters.

Monitor survival rates of tern eggs and chicks in productivity plots.

Assess chick provisioning rates.

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

Enrolled or graduated with a B.S. in Wildlife and Conservation Biology program or related major.

Demonstrated ability to collect avian demographic data.

Conducted field work in a remote environment as a member of a small field team.

Ability to sit in an 8’tall blind for up to 2 hours reading color bands and identifying fish being delivered to tern chicks with a 2-60X spotting scope.

Ability to complete fieldwork, including mark-resighting efforts.

Commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience collecting demographic data on Common and Roseate Terns.

Evidence of reading bands using a spotting scope.

Evidence of identifying fish being fed to tern chicks.

Evidence of assisting with banding operations.

Knowledge of colonial seabird ecology.

Additional Details

Living on a remote offshore island in Long Island Sound for up to 3 weeks at a time.

Ability to be a member of small team of up to 6 other biologists working on a remote island.

Work schedule will be two weeks on the island, one week off island from approx. 5/15/26 through 7/8/26.

Fieldwork involves the use of boats.

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: $20.00

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 5:00 p.m. (EST) on 4/15/26.

Candidates that identify with groups currently underrepresented in wildlife ecology and conservation are encouraged to apply. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Nathan Senner (nsenner@umass.edu).

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.