Unpaid Field/Research Assistant: Farallon Program Volunteers – Seabird Research Assistants (CA)

Point Blue Conservation Science is searching for volunteer research assistants to help with the collection of population, reproductive success, phenological, and diet data across the majority of seabird species that breed on the Farallones. Deadline to apply: February 14, 2025.

Agency/Organization: Point Blue Conservation Science

Location: Southeast Farallon Island, California

Website: Click here

Job Description: Researchers, students, and volunteers with Point Blue Conservation Science have been studying the wildlife and natural history of Southeast Farallon Island every day since 1968. Located 27 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, the Farallon Islands are situated in one of the most productive coastal upwelling systems in the global ocean—the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. Their protected status as a National Wildlife Refuge, coupled with their close proximity to the edge of the continental shelf, facilitate the Farallones to host the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States. Each spring and summer, over 300,000 seabirds of 13 different species, including alcids, cormorants, gulls, and storm-petrels, return to these islands to breed. Moreover, the islands serve as a major resting and breeding site for five species of pinnipeds, are an important feeding ground for migratory whales and white sharks, provide habitat for an endemic plant, salamander, and insect species, and represent a key stopover site for hundreds of species of migrant and vagrant landbirds in the spring and fall.

From March through September, our research focus centers on the examination of upper trophic marine predators, primarily seabirds, as bio-indicators of natural and anthropogenic variation in the marine environment. The responsibilities of research assistants encompass a wide array of observational and hands-on experiences, which aid in the collection of population, reproductive success, phenological, and diet data across the majority of seabird species that breed on the Farallones.

Primary duties of our research assistants include:

• Searching for banded Common Murres, Western Gulls, and Brandt’s Cormorants and following their reproductive status
• Checking nest boxes and natural crevices of Cassin’s Auklets, Rhinoceros Auklets, and Pigeon Guillemots
• Handling, measuring, and banding potentially hundreds of seabird adults and chicks
• Collecting diet samples and conducting diet watches
• Censusing attendance of Tufted Puffins at new and established breeding sites
• Mist netting Ashy Storm-Petrels at night for our mark-recapture study
• Resighting tagged seals and sea lions
• Surveying for migrating and feeding whales and dolphins from the lighthouse
• Collecting daily weather observations and sea-surface temperature readings
• Participating in safe landing operations for resupplies of personnel and food
• Other opportunities may include assisting in auxiliary and graduate research interests (such as social attraction, tag deployments, blood/fecal sampling, etc.) that may arise in a given season
• Additionally, all island residents will participate in maintenance of the research station, including chores and cooking duties on a regular basis

Our work on Southeast Farallon Island can be extremely strenuous with lots of hiking, bending, and lifting, while at other times will be sedentary, such as making observations from a blind or conducting diet watches. This requires sound physical and mental endurance, especially in a loud, dirty, rugged, cold, and windy environment. Eligible candidates for this opportunity must be highly self-motivated, organized, equally team-oriented and independently-minded, personable, and willing to spend long hours (sometimes at night) in the field. Though previous experience conducting observational studies on seabirds, handling wildlife, and/or working in remote locations is not required, experienced applicants are desired and strongly encouraged to apply. Regardless, everyone who participates in our program will receive exceptional training in wildlife behavioral observation, safe bird handling and banding, and data notation, entry, and management in the field.

Positions are available 15 March through 13 September 2025, with a minimum commitment of eight weeks. While all research assistant positions on Southeast Farallon Island are volunteer, we provide excellent food and housing accommodations while on the island. Transportation to the Bay Area, and to Petaluma where our main office is located, is not provided.

Point Blue is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.

Qualifications:

• Passion for seabirds and conservation work.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including effective communication and active listening.
• Strong work-ethic and self-motivation, adaptable to a dynamic work schedule.
• Enthusiasm for intense field work in unfavorable conditions.
• Comfortable working independently and as a compassionate teammate.
• Sense of curiosity and eagerness to learn.
• Attention to detail and awareness of surroundings.
• Considerate of ethical and safety considerations involving wildlife and people.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to walk and scramble over uneven, steep, and rocky terrain.
• Ability to sit, bend, and kneel for extended periods of time.
• Desired: a degree in biology or a related field and prior ecological research experience.

Wage: Unpaid. While all research assistant positions on Southeast Farallon Island are volunteer, we provide excellent food and housing accommodations while on the island. Transportation to the Bay Area, and to Petaluma where our main office is located, is not provided.

To apply: For more information and to apply, click here. Please apply by 14 February 2025. Applications will be evaluated as they are received, so some positions may be filled before the deadline. If any issues with your application should arise, or you have further inquiries about the position, please reach out to Amanda Spears (aspears@pointblue.org) or Pete Warzybok (pwarzybok@pointblue.org).

Application Deadline: February 14, 2025

Start Date: March 15, 2025

Contact: Amanda Spears (aspears@pointblue.org) or Pete Warzybok (pwarzybok@pointblue.org)