Beginning in the fall of 2026, Tin Mountain Conservation Center’s Research Program will launch its pilot season operating a Northern Saw-whet Owl banding station. Owl banding efforts provide valuable insights into population changes, range shifts, longevity, and behavior which ultimately improves conservation and management actions.

We are seeking 2 Owl Banding Technicians for our fall 2026 field season. Technicians will assist with net site selection and setup, data collection and entry, and the safe, efficient operation of the banding station. Since banding takes place after sundown, candidates should expect cold temperatures, dark conditions, and potential snowfall. Additional duties include assisting with leading occasional public outreach programs/banding demonstrations, coordinating with station volunteers, writing brief summary reports, and other related tasks as needed.

To ensure the safety of the Saw-whet Owls, technicians will perform 30-minute solo "stakeouts" in the dark near the nets to monitor for predators like Barred Owls. Technicians will stay in contact with the main station via walkie-talkie, but potential candidates should consider if they feel comfortable sitting alone in dark, outdoor settings.

The banding station will typically open 30 to 60 minutes after sunset and operate for a minimum of 4 hours per night, weather/conditions permitting. The nets will very likely be located a short hike from staff housing, however, because this is a pilot season, the primary location may change and thus may require limited driving to a secondary location.

Technicians will be welcome to participate in other areas of Tin Mountain’s environmental programming. Outside of work, New Hampshire's scenic White Mountains provide endless opportunities to explore beautiful peaks and outdoor recreation.

Learn more about the program here: Tin Mountain Research Program.

Required Qualifications:

• An interest nocturnal raptors and owl ecology
• Willingness to work evening/night hours and adapt to weather-dependent schedule changes
• Responsible, motivated, and dependable in the field  
• Strong data collection, organization, and time management skills
• Ability to hike off-trail and work in potentially cold, dark field conditions
• Positive attitude (for both slow, quiet nights and high-volume, fast-paced capture nights)
• Good interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for interacting with program participants and volunteers
• Proficiency with standard software (e.g., Microsoft Excel and Word)

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience setting up and taking down mist nets
• Experience with bird extraction,  safe handling, and collecting morphometric data 

Compensation:

• Shared housing (private bedrooms) in a cabin on Tin Mountain property

Please note: Unfortunately, due to allergy concerns of other residents, insurance and safety regulations, we cannot allow pets 

• Compensation is a stipend of  $1,000 biweekly ($500/week) 
• Work-related travel reimbursed at the federal rate

Position Dates:

We are seeking two Owl Banding Technicians for the fall 2026 field season. Positions will run Oct 5th through Nov 13th (dates slightly flexible).  Work will generally be ~40 hours per week, but has the possibility to occur any night, including weekends, as weather permits.  The station will typically operate 30 min - 1 hr after sunset for minimally 4 hours (dependent on weather and capture rate).

Application Deadline:

Wednesday, August 19, 2026