OPEN POSITIONS:

Conservation Leadership Development Program and Kupu ‘Āina Corps (KAC)

Americorps Avian Conservation Research Assistants (CLDP), Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project (Hanapepe/Alakai Wilderness Preserve)

Positions: 2 year-long (11-month) and 2 seasonal (6-month)

AMERICORPS AVIAN CONSERVATION FIELD ASSISTANTS needed for work with the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project. Program dates are: Year-long 11/4/2024 – 9/20/2025 and Seasonal 11/4/2024 – 4/19/2025.  Our project focuses on a variety of work with five endemic Hawaiian songbirds, the ‘akikiki, ‘akeke‘e, ‘i‘iwi, ‘anianiau and puaiohi that all inhabit the extremely wet, beautiful and rugged montane rainforest at located at ~4500ft on the island of Kauai. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation of endangered tropical species in the U.S. while acquiring valuable research skills. Successful applicants will have the chance to participate in both fieldwork (such as mosquito control and bird research) and office tasks (including outreach and data management). Two of the positions offered will primarily work on mosquito control and monitoring. Please indicate if you have a specific area of interest (mosquito work or bird work) in your application.

Field work is physically challenging, requiring a 4-to-8-mile hike to the main field camps by way of steep slopes, tangled forest and stream crossings. Daily field conditions include hiking through dense forest in and along streams, often in rainy and chilly weather. Daily field activities include conducting surveys for endangered Hawaiian birds, point counts, mosquito sampling, vegetation and habitat sampling, maintaining a rat control grid with motion detection cameras in sensitive bird habitat, nest searching and monitoring, and mist-netting and banding birds.

Applicants must be able to detect and identify birds by sight and sound, be physically fit, and able to navigate rugged and complex terrain using GPS, compass, and maps. Experience with songbird color band re-sighting, behavioral observation, territory mapping, nest searching, point counts, camera trapping, telemetry towers and mist-netting is strongly desired. Abundant enthusiasm for conserving Hawaii’s native species (including the ability to kill a few invasive species along the way) is essential, as are self-motivation, the ability to work well in a small team, a positive attitude, and willingness to live in a remote field camps for more than a week at a time. Office duties will include environmental education and outreach, data entry and organization, supervised and independent research projects, maintenance of field equipment and other work around the office. Familiarity with GIS, Microsoft Access, Adobe Suite Software, and computer IT is also strongly desired.

Salary/Benefits/Requirements:  exact information can be found at https://www.kupuhawaii.org/conservation-leadership-development-program

Housing when not in the field IS NOT provided through the program. Applicants not from the area should note that the housing prices on Kauai are some of the highest in the country. The successful applicant must provide own travel to Lihue, Kauai and have a valid US drivers license.

Start dates beginning November 2024 or later. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the project will make recommendations to Americorps. Deadline to apply: 9/13/2024. Required materials include a current resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 references, emailed to puaiohijobs@gmail.com. You MUST ALSO apply directly to the CLDP Year-round Americorps Program at https://kupuhawaii.tfaforms.net/318 as soon as possible.

Full-time Office/Field Assistant (Data/Logistics/Outreach), Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP; Hanapepe/Alakai Wilderness Preserve/Remote)

Description: The Office/Field Assistant performs general program support to maintain a forest bird research and recovery program in three areas: 1) data entry, management, and summary; 2) logistical support and coordination; and 3) outreach and sampling life cycle of disease-carrying Culex mosquitoes in core bird habitat. Under 1), duties include data entry and digitizing in Excel, Access and cloud-based databases, and summary and interpretation of data using graphs, tables, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Data include forest bird population surveys and monitoring, and predator control and mapping species locations. Under 2), duties include maintenance of project vehicles and inventory, care and maintenance of project equipment and tools. Helps maintain computers and network. Assists in scheduling logistics, such as helicopter operations. Under 3), duties include navigate off-trail using GPS and Avenza, basic data entry and manipulation. participating in and supporting project’s public relations outreach programs such as school visits and tableing at events and producing outreach materials, including newsletters and social media posts. Must adhere to safety, equipment use and invasive species prevention protocols. Worker will be trained in necessary software (e.g., GIS, Microsoft Office). The position will mostly be based out of our office and baseyard with occasional telework.

Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required; at least some college education preferred. Requires a high degree of attention to detail for data management, data digitizing, data entry and proofing, as well as equipment management and data collection, which includes repetitive tasks.  Strong technical capabilities (MS Office (Word, Excel), Google Suite, social media, remote work, basic photo editing) desired. Excellent writing skills. Problem-solving. Ability to work independently and with a small team. Ability to effectively manage projects and balance time/schedule on multiple tasks.  Working knowledge of maintenance of computer workstations. Inventory management and scheduling experience is a plus. Applicants should be physically fit and able to navigate rugged and complex terrain. A desire to help prevent the extinction of our native forest birds.

Salary/Benefits/Requirements:  exact information can be found at https://www.kupuhawaii.org/aina/

Start 11/4/2024 or after, year-long program.

Starts at $18.00-20.00 per hour (Paid biweekly), Medical Insurance (Full-time employees only)

Applicants must be between the ages of 17 to 38 for the duration of the program term to be eligible for participation.

Applicants must be a US Citizen, US National, US Permanent Resident, or otherwise legally allowed to work in the United States.

To Apply: Send an up-to-date resume, names and contact information of three references, and cover letter describing why this opportunity interests you to puaiohijobs AT gmail.com by 9/13, 2024. ALSO submit application at https://www.kupuhawaii.org/aina/.