BHERC is hiring! We are looking for one ASSISTANT BIRD BANDER to assist with our 2026 field season. We are also looking for FIELD ECOLOGY VOLUNTEERS to help with several of our research projects. See more details below, and please reach out with any questions!
Field Ecology Volunteers
Description: BHERC is seeking volunteers to help collect long term data across our study area. Volunteers will learn field techniques including bird banding, insect surveying, bioacoustic monitoring, and plant identification. No prior experience necessary!
Time commitment is 1-2 days per weeks from 15 May – 15 August 2026. You will need your own transportation to study sites, but mileage will be reimbursed.
To apply, please send an email to Maia Persche (bhrcollective@gmail.com) explaining a bit about your interest and background in ecology and availability during the field season. Please write ‘Volunteer’ in the subject line.
Assistant Bird Bander
Job Description: The Baraboo Hills Ecology Research Collective is seeking one motivated field technician to assist with bird banding and long-term ecological monitoring in southern Wisconsin forests. The technician will join a small grassroots research team for the sixth year of data collection in extensive forest preserves. We have a series of four MAPS bird banding stations (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship, Institute for Bird Populations), located on preserves owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. In addition to examining long-term population trends of forest bird species, we are interested in the effects of woodland restoration on the bird and insect communities. Options for helping with a wider range of ecological surveys, training volunteers, and helping with community education events.
This is a contract position and we are not able to offer housing.
Major Responsibilities:
- Help run MAPS bird banding stations: set up and take down mist nets; extract birds from nets; band, measure and age birds.
- Help maintain bird banding station net lanes and trails.
- Conduct foliage arthropod surveys.
- Help train and coordinate volunteers at bird banding stations.
- Assist with data entry and management.
- Record detailed ecological and observational data in the field.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills:
- Capacity to work as part of a team in challenging conditions (early hours, steep terrain, thick brush, hot/humid weather, biting/stinging insects).
- Experience bird banding and following MAPS protocols.
- Familiarity with Midwestern bird species.
- Careful attention to detail and organized data-collection skills.
- Strong work ethic; effective communication; positive attitude.
- Ability to drive between remote study sites, personal vehicle required. We will reimburse for mileage.
Start Date: May 15, 2026
End Date: August 15, 2026
Salary: $20-25 per hour, based on experience. Hours vary, but will be around 20 hours per week. (Approximately $5,000 for the season, plus compensation for mileage).
To apply: Please send an email containing a cover letter describing relevant experience, CV/resume, bird banding resume, and contact information for three references to Maia Persche (bhrcollective@gmail.com) by March 31st 2026. Please write “Bird Banding Tech Application” in the subject line.
Baraboo Hills Ecology Research Collective 