Applications Open Until Filled
About Us: Founded on the principle that conservation is everyone’s responsibility, The Ricketts Conservation Foundation (RCF) works with private and public partners to study, protect, and enhance the populations of at-risk species within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, while working to understand how our lands can be sustainably managed.
Job Summary: We are hiring an experienced bird bander to work on a long-term project assessing songbird response to wildfires and Aspen regeneration on Monument Ridge, near the town of Bondurant, Wyoming. Specifically, we are looking for someone highly knowledgeable of songbird mist netting and banding, aging and sexing techniques, an ability to identify western birds by sight and sound, physically capable of hiking 10+ miles daily in rugged, mountainous areas above 8000 feet elevation, and an enthusiasm to assist as needed with a variety of research projects. Familiarity with the IMBCR point count protocol is preferred but not required, as the selected candidate will attend an IMBCR training week run by Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in mid-May before arriving in Bondurant. Interested applicants with suitable experience may also extend the position into the fall to help with our songbird and owl migration stations.
The Experienced Bander will work with the foundation’s Lead Bander to help run our nine (9) MAPS banding sites in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The selected candidate will be responsible for operating several low to mid-volume MAPS stations with one or two mist net assistants (set up and taking down nets, extracting, banding, aging, and sexing birds as well as recording and entering data), and work with the lead bander at our high-volume sites. They will also help monitor passerine nest boxes, check cameras traps, conduct vegetation surveys, contribute social media posts, and possibly conduct IMBCR bird surveys. The Experienced Bander will also assist the Lead Bander with project management and crew supervision.
Summer Responsibilities (May - August):
MAPS songbird mist netting and banding (70%)
IMBCR point counts (5%)
Vegetation Surveys (5%)
Camera trap monitoring and maintenance (5%)
Passerine nest box monitoring (5%)
Office Tasks (Data entry, social media posts, Net repair, Gear inventory and maintenance) (10%)
Fall Responsibilities (September – November, tentative for 1 or 2 technicians):
Owl migration mist netting and banding (50%)
Songbird migration mist netting and banding (40%)
Camera trap monitoring and maintenance (5%)
Yellowstone Clark’s Nutcracker Surveys (5%)
Hours/Schedule: This is a full-time, seasonal position with a somewhat flexible start and end date. The work schedule is typically 10 days on and 4 days off, but weather and project requirements will ultimately determine the schedule. Overtime (1.5x hourly rate) will be provided for hours beyond 40 per week. The experienced bander typically works 5-10 hours of OT each week.
Field Conditions: The study area lies at 7,000’ - 10,000’ elevation, so mornings can be cold and frosty, even in the middle of the summer. Habitat types include aspen woodlands, mixed conifer, sagebrush steppe. Grizzly bear encounters are possible, but very infrequent. Shared housing and transportation for work is provided. Our MAPS banding stations are located on rugged areas of National Forest land, and our banders need to be able to stay sure-footed while carrying birds up and down steep slopes to get between net lanes and the banding table. Occasional use of personal vehicles for work occurs but is not required. Fuel expenses are reimbursed. Technicians will need their own camping equipment and field gear as well as secure their own transportation to and from Bondurant, WY (travel costs up to $400 will be reimbursed). Bondurant is a remote town with a population of less than 100 year-round residents. The closest amenities are in Jackson and Pinedale, each a 45-minute drive from town. Recreational opportunities in the surrounding area are truly limitless, with world class fly fishing, backpacking, rafting, climbing and two national parks.
Qualifications: Substantial songbird mist netting and banding experience required (processed a minimum of 500 adult passerines). Must possess knowledge of aging and sexing techniques and qualify as a sub-permittee on the banding permit.
Excellent hearing, sight, familiarity with identifying western birds, and note taking and organizational skills are required. Familiarity with Rocky Mountain tree and shrub species is helpful but not essential. Familiarity with sexing and aging using the Pyle Guide, and how to use both HP and WRP aging systems, is highly desired. Some previous experience maintaining camera traps, monitoring nest boxes, and driving large 4WD and manual transmission vehicles is also a plus.
Applicants should have earned a degree in wildlife biology, related discipline or be working towards completing a degree. A valid driver's license is required. Applicants should possess a strong work ethic, be a quick learner, have good navigational skills, be a team player, and be willing to share living spaces with coworkers. Ideally, candidates have some experience backpacking with camping and survey equipment into remote areas and knowledge of bear avoidance protocols. The bander must be in excellent physical condition, able to lift 50 pounds, hike up to 15 miles off trail at high altitude in steep terrain, sometimes with large areas of deadfall, tolerate early mornings, long hours, adverse weather, and be comfortable not using mosquito repellents while banding (DEET and handling birds does not mix).
Duration and Salary:
May 12 (tentative) to early or mid-August with possibility of extension to mid-November
$21/hour (40 hours a week plus some overtime)
Up to $400 reimbursement for moving expenses (i.e. gas, lodging) both to and from Bondurant.
***Free housing is provided in a beautiful mountain valley, adjacent to working ranches with bison and horses. ***
To apply: In a single PDF, please send a cover letter and resume detailing how your experience and interests make you a suitable candidate as well as three references. Specify your desired start and end dates and whether you are interested in continuing through the fall season. Applicants should include a banding resume detailing locations where experience was obtained as well as rough totals of birds extracted and birds processed. Please send all materials to Josh Lefever at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until January 31st, 2026; prior to the closing date, suitable applicants may be asked to interview, and highly qualified candidates may be offered a position early.
