Field Assistant II, Avian Research, Temporary

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh • Ligonier Township, PA

4d

About The Position

Powdermill Field Station and Nature Reserve is Carnegie Museum of Natural History's research station and environmental education center, located approximately one hour southeast of Pittsburgh in the beautiful Laurel Highlands region. Powdermill encompasses 2200 acres where scientists conduct an array of biological research and where the public can enjoy miles of hiking trails, exhibits, and camps and classes. Carnegie Museums is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.
This is a Temporary position.
The Field Assistant II Avian Research conducts and supervises seasonal assistants pursuing Powdermill’s avian research efforts include bird banding, surveying birds by sight and sound, studying avian perception of glass, and/or tracking birds using digitally coded transmitters and automated receiving stations (aka “Motus Wildlife Tracking”).
This is a temporary, full time position expected to run from April 13, 2026 – June 6, 2026.

Requirements

• Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in addition to a minimum of 3 years of ornithological field experience.
• Applicants must have proficient experience with extracting, handling, and banding songbirds.
• Applicant must be able to identify eastern birds by sight and sound and have one year of experience establishing automated receiving stations and digitally coded radio transmitters (aka “Motus Wildlife Tracking”).
• The successful applicant will be able to work well both independently and as part of a team.
• The applicant must have valid driver’s license and be available to work extended hours including weekend and/or evening hours.
• The position requires extended periods of walking, sitting, driving, standing, lifting, and carrying heavy equipment sometimes in inclement weather (e.g. hot, cold, rain).
• The applicant must be able to repeatedly lift 60 or more pounds throughout the day.
• The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience studying avian perception of glass is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervising seasonal assistants or directly assisting with Powdermill’s avian research efforts.
• Purchasing and assembling Motus receiving station components in Pittsburgh.
• Traveling throughout the eastern United States to evaluate potential receiver station sites.
• Traveling throughout the eastern US to construct, repair, and download data from Motus receiving stations.
• Maintaining equipment and tools in an organized fashion.
• Training seasonal assistants to conduct aforementioned Motus research or study avian perception of glass using live birds and a flight tunnel.
• Managing and conducting quality checks on data collected from the flight tunnel.
• Extracting birds from mist nets, banding and collecting data from birds may also include collecting blood samples from birds}, attaching transmitters to birds, tracking birds via radio telemetry, surveying birds by sight and sound (i.e. point counts), repairing nets, trimming vegetation around net lanes, recording data, and checking data.
• Off season duties include curatorial duties and clerical tasks in the CMNH bird collection as required by the Curator of Birds.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees