Job Title: Point Count Technician – Point Count Program
Base Salary/Hourly Range: $20.17 per hour
Location: Ashland, Oregon
Application: Send a PDF document including a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references to Tom McLaren; thm@klamathbird.org 
Application Deadline: Review of application will begin November 24th, position will remain open until filled

Position Description
Klamath Bird Observatory (www.KlamathBird.org) is seeking seasonal field technicians for the 2026 breeding season to complete avian point count surveys from April 27th through July 17th, throughout the ecologically diverse and beautiful regions of southern Oregon, eastern Oregon, and/or northern California. Technicians will conduct work related to multiple projects including monitoring effects of oak and conifer forest restoration on species distributions and long-term monitoring on both private and public lands. Surveyors will work in conifer forests, oak woodlands, eastern Oregon sagebrush habitat, Lava Beds National Monument and/or Redwoods National and State Parks. Applicants should be able to identify a wide variety of western bird species as they may be working in a range of habitats including coniferous forests, subalpine, oak woodlands, and shrub-steppe. Primary responsibilities will include conducting multispecies avian point count surveys and vegetation sampling along off-road transects following standard protocols, and associated data entry. Other tasks may be assigned if time permits. Field training on protocol methodology and distance estimation will be provided at the onset of the season. Camping independently, often at undeveloped or dispersed sites, will be required for most work. A small number of sites may also require overnight backcountry camping. Experience and comfort with backpacking to sites will be discussed and agreed upon prior to the field season and is not required for every position. Several field vehicles are available for use, but it may be necessary for surveyors to use a personal vehicle to travel to work sites. If technicians are required to drive their personal vehicle, mileage reimbursement will be provided. An additional completion bonus of $1000 will be provided at the end of the term of employment if a full season of surveys and data entry has been completed.

Job Status
This is a Non-exempt position. Non-exempt employees are subject to minimum wage and overtime requirements and are generally paid on an hourly basis.

About KBO: Klamath Bird Observatory advances bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. We use birds as indicators of the healthy and resilient ecosystems on which we all depend. Our program areas reflect the highest conservation priorities for reversing the decline of western bird populations and the habitats on which they depend. Our current applied ecology programs focus on improving management and restoration of conifer forests, oak woodlands, riparian habitats, and alpine meadows. Our theoretical research improves our understanding of historic, current, future population trends of birds in those same ecosystems and studies birds throughout their full annual life cycle to identify the limiting factors that birds face during breeding and non-breeding seasons. We bring our results to bear through science delivery involving partnership driven engagement in conservation planning, informing the critical decisions being made today that will have lasting influences on the health of our natural resources well into the future.

Job Duties

Conduct multispecies avian point count surveys
• Identify western birds by sight and sound

Conduct vegetation surveys
• Identify common tree and shrub species of the western US

Data entry and data management
• Manage physical copies of survey data, following data management guidelines
• Enter survey data into digital databases

Minimum Qualifications

• The ability to identify western birds by sight and sound is required.
• Applicants should have a full range of hearing, be in excellent physical condition, and be comfortable working and camping independently.
• Able to hike in steep and rugged off-trail conditions.
• Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and insurance.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comfort working independently in remote areas and working in inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to tolerate working in areas containing poison oak.
• Ability to follow standardized field protocols and collect meticulous data.
• Map reading, GPS, and orientation skills.
• The ability to communicate with coworkers and supervisors effectively.
• Well-qualified applicants should have at least one full season of avian point count field experience.

It is Klamath Bird Observatory policy to provide a work environment free from unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, expunged juvenile record, performance of duty in a uniformed service, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.