TITLE: Banding Technician, Alaska Songbird Institute (ASI)
STATUS: Seasonal, temporary; April 27—Oct 2, 2026 Start and end dates may be somewhat flexible.
SCOPE OF WORK: This position serves as a seasonal bander for the Alaska Songbird Institute’s projects at Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge and the University of Alaska in Fairbanks during the 2026 field season. ASI’s mission is to conserve Alaska’s boreal songbirds through education and research, and this position is an integral part of a team including biologists, students, and volunteers. ASI projects include a migration mist netting station and a Tree Swallow nest monitoring effort. Although this position is focused on banding and research support, it also includes leading public banding demonstrations, mentoring youth and teens, training interns, and providing support to community volunteers. From late April to mid May and August through September this position will assist operations at ASI’s Creamer’s Field Migration Station. Late May through mid July, the bander will support ASI’s Tree Swallow nest monitoring project.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities are expected to break down as follows. Research & monitoring (60%); education/training and community interaction (30%); data entry, proofing, and logistics (10%).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or related field
- Excellent bird-identification skills
- High competency at mist netting, aging, sexing, and banding passerines and near passerines (at least 750 passerines in the last five years); experience at a high-volume migration station a plus
- Ability to lead public banding demonstrations and interact professionally with visitors
- Experience with nest monitoring and banding nestlings preferred but not required
- Experience mentoring students, including school-aged children and teens, and training interns and community volunteers is preferred
Successful candidates must possess strong banding skills alongside a demonstrated interest in conservation, science communication, and working in a community-based, integrated research/education model. Candidates should have a strong work ethic, meticulous approach to collecting and recording data, be self-motivated, have strong communication skills, and be able to thrive in a highly collaborative work environment. This position requires early mornings and weekend days, as well as the flexibility to adapt to a work schedule that is dependent upon changing weather and field logistics. Successful candidates must be able to make common sense decisions concerning wildlife interactions (e.g., moose) and be confident and positive role models for adults, youth, and teens in all kinds of weather and field conditions.
HOURS: Start and end dates are somewhat flexible. Overtime must be pre-approved by a supervisor. This position includes early mornings and weekend days.
SALARY & COMPENSATION: Seasonal, nonexempt. Hours are variable, average 35-37 hours/week for 23 weeks 27 April 27 – October 2, 2026. Early mornings and weekend work required. $18-20/hour DOE; 50 hours of paid leave; Bike may be available for use, upon request. Housing is not provided.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Nest monitoring, mist netting and banding require good manual dexterity and eyesight and involve long periods of being on your feet with few or no breaks. Banders must be able to access all mist nets and nest boxes and travel with groups of children and adult volunteers throughout ASI study areas. This may include walking through water, mud, and vegetation, stepping over logs, riding a bicycle, crossing uneven terrain, reaching, and carrying heavy objects, including a 30+ pound backpack. Banders must be able to climb stairs to access a basement storage area, walk briskly during frequent net runs covering up to 1/3 mile each, open and close mist nets and check nest boxes independently, tolerate heavy insect activity, and all types of weather conditions including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures.
TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, résumé, and three references with complete contact information as a single document to Tricia Blake at: director@aksongbird.org. Please use your cover letter to address the experience, skills, and attributes that make you a great fit for our organization and this position and be sure to include specific details on your banding experience and training. Applications will be reviewed as received, and this position will be filled as soon as the right person is found. We recommend applying promptly. We welcome any questions you may have about ASI, our amazing Fairbanks community, and the position. Please direct them to the email address above.
The Alaska Songbird Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.