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, full-time) (51 weeks @ 35-40 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, and telescope). Requirements: Covid-19 vaccine required.
PURPOSE: AmeriCorps members will build capacity at Beaver Creek Reserve, a 78-year-old nature center and 400acre 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

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.

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.

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.

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.