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Volunteer Songbird Research Assistants

Point Blue Conservation Science

Southeast Farallon Islands, California

Job Type Unpaid
Salary Unpaid Volunteer Position
Benefits This is a volunteer position with no financial compensation, though we do provide great food and island housing.

VOLUNTEER SONGBIRD RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (4-6) needed for fall 2025 on Southeast Farallon Island (30 miles west of San Francisco). This may be the last year that these positions are available. This volunteer opportunity is designed to allow early career ecologists to gain valuable hands-on field research and remote living experience while contributing to long-term research on songbird migration.

Volunteer RAs will:

  • Learn how to monitor the arrival and stop-over ecology of migrant birds by conducting area searches, mist-netting, and banding. 
  • Learn how to survey for migrant seabirds, gulls, white sharks, and whales which also visit the area around the Farallones during the Fall season, as well as occasional surveys for pinnipeds, crickets, and salamanders. 
  • Learn how to enter, proof, and manage data, contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of the research station, and take turns cooking. 
  • Participate in field research 7 days a week, with a variable schedule that includes long days and night work. Fieldwork requires rigorous physical activity including strenuous hiking and climbing.

Applicants should enjoy working independently with a high level of responsibility in fieldwork and data entry as well as working frequently with a partner or team.

Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in biology or related field, a proficiency in identifying North American birds, and experience with mist-netting and banding.

Enthusiasm for intense fieldwork on a small, isolated island and the ability to get along well with others is essential.

Positions are available 30 August through 6 December 2025 with a minimum 8-week commitment. This is a volunteer position with no financial compensation, though we do provide great food and island housing.

HOW TO APPLY

TO APPLY: Please complete this application form or copy and paste https://forms.gle/W9Q54e3akWLk8AHBA  into your browser.

More information can be found at https://www.pointblue.org/internships/volunteer-research-assistant-southeast-farallon-island/

As part of the application process, we ask that you: 1) Upload a Cover Letter explaining why you would like to be considered for this position 2) Upload your current Resume or CV 3) Include names, affiliations, email addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references.

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Ecology, Wildlife
Tags Ornithology