AmeriCorps Avian Field Technician

Position Title: Avian Field Technician Position Service Site: Beaver Creek Reserve – Fall Creek, WI, Eau Claire County
Service Time: September 8, 2025–August 28, 2026 (1,700 Hour AmeriCorps Term) (51 weeks @ 30-45 hours/week)
Benefits: Bi-weekly living stipend = $857.69, Education Award = $7,395 upon successful completion of service. Onsite housing available. Use of recreational equipment (cross country skis, snowshoes, kayaks, canoes, telescope).
Requirements: Covid-19 vaccine is required.

PURPOSE: AmeriCorps members will build capacity at Beaver Creek Reserve, a 78-year-old nature center and 400-acre reserve, by engaging the community in hands-on environmental education and citizen science. Members will focus on connecting people of all ages throughout the Chippewa Valley and northwestern Wisconsin to nature through meaningful, science-based experiences.

OVERVIEW: Founded in 1947, Beaver Creek Reserve (BCR) is a regional hub for environmental education, research, and community science. The 400-acre property features the Wise Nature Center, Eau Claire County Youth Camp, Butterfly House, Citizen Science Center, and Hobbs Observatory. Together, these facilities create a dynamic space where people of all ages can explore, learn, and build deeper connections to the natural world.
Beaver Creek Reserve serves as a vital link between classroom learning and hands-on outdoor experience. Through innovative programs, it inspires personal discovery, stewardship, and lifelong curiosity about the environment.
Beaver Creek Reserve has a long-standing commitment to bird conservation and citizen science. The Avian Monitoring Program (AMP) includes three monitoring projects, four banding projects, the Christmas Bird Count, Wisconsin Crane Count, and a variety of community outreach and education initiatives. These efforts engage volunteers and community members in real-world science while supporting regional and national conservation goals.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Beaver Creek Reserve’s Avian Field Technician position is guided by two primary goals:
1. To provide AmeriCorps members with high-quality training and hands-on experience in avian research, conservation, and citizen science. Technicians will gain practical skills by participating in and helping lead the operations of a fully functioning avian citizen science station.
2. To support the Citizen Science Center in ensuring that the Avian Monitoring Program (AMP) runs efficiently, effectively, and professionally. Technicians will contribute to data collection, project coordination, public outreach, and site management.
 

Technicians will actively participate in a variety of avian monitoring and conservation projects, including:
-Weekly Feeder Bird Banding
-American Kestrel Nest Box Monitoring
-MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship)
-Christmas Bird Count
-Bald Eagle Nest Watch
-Bluebird Restoration Project
-Northern Saw-whet Owl Migration Monitoring
-Public outreach and education programs
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Avian Research & Monitoring
-Serve as the primary coordinator for all bird banding and bird monitoring projects, including scheduling, logistics, and communication.
-Ensure timely and accurate data collection and entry for all avian projects.
-Coordinate and lead citizen science bird monitoring events, such as the Wisconsin Crane Count, Christmas Bird Count, Great Backyard Bird Count, and Bald Eagle Nest Watch.
-Assist with additional citizen science research projects as needed.
 

Volunteer Engagement & Training
-Assist with volunteer recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and retention.
-Lead and support training sessions and continuing education opportunities for volunteers.
-Develop online training modules and materials for citizen science programs.
 

Education & Outreach
-Develop and deliver environmental education programs for youth and adults, both in-person and virtually.
-Present at off-site outreach events and represent Beaver Creek Reserve at community functions.
-Create interpretive materials such as posters, signage, and exhibits for public education.
-Contribute content for newsletters, blog posts, and social media platforms.
 

Program Support & Development
-Write annual reports summarizing project outcomes and impact.
-Research and apply for grants to support specific projects and initiatives.
-Help develop new interpretive displays and contribute to exhibit maintenance.
 

Facilities & General Support
-Maintain field equipment, workstations, and citizen science monitoring tools.
-Assist with the maintenance and care of buildings, exhibits, and educational spaces.
-Support day-to-day operations at Beaver Creek Reserve and help with annual special events.
-Work early mornings, evenings and weekends, as required by program needs.
 

QUALIFICATIONS:
This is a dynamic and intensive position that requires a highly self-motivated, organized, and independent individual. Ideal candidates will demonstrate flexibility, creativity, strong time management, and the ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously in the field and office.
The candidate does not need to hold a federal banding permit. Ability to be permitted is a bonus.

Education & Experience
-Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, or a related natural resources field.
-Strong knowledge of birds and bird banding protocols.
-Experience extracting birds from mist nets and accurately banding, identifying, aging, and sexing birds.
-Familiarity with the Pyle Guide, molt cycles, and WRP (Wolfe-Ryder-Pyle) system is a significant plus.
-Experience with Northern Saw-whet Owl banding is highly desirable.
-Experience working with volunteers, including recruitment, training, and supervision.
 

Field & Technical Skills
-Ability to identify most Midwest bird species by sight and song, or willingness to learn quickly.
-Comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions, including early mornings or late nights.
-Able to meet physical demands of the position: walking across uneven terrain, bending, carrying gear, lifting up to 50 lbs, and working long hours.
-Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with data entry and management.
-Familiarity with bird monitoring databases (e.g., USGS Bird Banding Lab, Cornell NestWatch) is a plus.

Personal Traits & Work Style
-Highly self-motivated, dependable, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
-Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire volunteers and peers.
-Friendly, enthusiastic, and creative demeanor.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
-Organized, punctual, and committed to meeting deadlines.
-Ability to multitask and adapt to shifting schedules and project priorities.
-Able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
 

TRAINING:
-AmeriCorps Orientation training September 8-12, 2025. Virtual. Attendance is mandatory.
-Statewide Opening Ceremony in October offering a variety of speakers and professional development.
-Midterm training spring 2026. Location TBD. Attendance required.
-Monthly Team Meetings & AmeriCorps team building offered online the first Thursday of each month.
-Beaver Creek Reserve trainings – Bird Banding 101, Northern Saw-whet Owl Bander Training, American Kestrel Training.
 

AmeriCorps RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Mid-term and final performance evaluations conducted by supervisor.
-Weekly timesheets.
-Member Service Plan for tracking achieved goals.
-Quarterly written reflections; and completion of foundational public health training, self-paced (16-20 hours).
-Community Health training.
-Member surveys and exit survey.
 

REQUIREMENTS TO SERVE:
-Members must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or legal permanent resident alien of the United States.
-Members must be at least 17 years of age by their start date (September 8, 2025)
-Members must have a HS Diploma, GED certificate, or must be working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service.
-Members must be able to pass a criminal, FBI and DMV background check.
- Members must accept a position as a full-time priority over other jobs and be able to complete their term of service.

BENEFITS:
-Build your resume through hands-on experience with a respected, year-round citizen science and avian monitoring program. You'll gain skills that are directly applicable to careers in wildlife biology, environmental education, and conservation.
-Engage in meaningful service by taking on real responsibilities, learning new skills, and making a lasting impact in your community and on local ecosystems.
-Expand your professional network by collaborating with conservation professionals, researchers, educators, and volunteers. Build strong references for future employment, graduate programs, Peace Corps service, or scholarships.
-Develop diverse skills through direct involvement in environmental education, bird handling and banding, curriculum development, live animal care and interpretation, outreach, and communication.
-Exercise creativity and leadership by designing and implementing your own outreach programs, projects, or interpretive materials with support and mentorship from experienced staff. Basic individual health, dental and vision insurance is available to full-time members only. There is no family plan option.
-Loan forbearance and interest accrual payments with qualified student loans.
-Childcare assistance available to AmeriCorps members serving in a full-time capacity. This assistance is only for those who need childcare to be able to serve and is based on household income eligibility.
-Mileage, meals and housing are provided for all required MCHS AmeriCorps trainings and events.
-Onsite housing available. Members who choose on-site housing should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program/organization/agency.

APPLY: The deadline to apply for this position is July 29, 2025. Interviews will be held as applications are submitted, with a decision made by August 1.
Send resume and 3 professional references to:
Jeanette Kelly
Citizen Science & Education Director
Beaver Creek Reserve
S1 County Road K
Fall Creek, WI 54742
(715) 877-2212
csc@beavercreekreserve.org