The biology program of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is recruiting several volunteers for the summer of 2017 to assist with our seabird monitoring program.  This is a unique opportunity to experience a wildlife refuge that spans much of the coastline of Alaska, covers nearly 3.4 million acres, and provides essential habitat for some 30 million seabirds, hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, and numerous plant and animal species found only in Alaska.

Volunteers will perform a variety of scientific and technical tasks to assist in a long-term seabird monitoring program.  Species being studied will differ by location but may include storm-petrels, cormorants, kittiwakes, murres, pigeon guillemots, auklets, and puffins.  The fieldwork will require volunteers to follow established, standardized procedures for field data collection, biological sample collection and storage, data entry, and data management.  Volunteers will be collecting data on seabird breeding chronology, reproductive success, population changes, adult survival, and food habits.

Volunteers will work as part of a field crew consisting of 2-5 individuals, supervised by an experienced crew leader. It is very important that volunteers are able to live and work amicably in small groups for over three months.  In addition to collecting scientific data, volunteers will assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the field camp, including assisting with meal planning and food preparation.

The work is conducted at remote field camps spread across the breadth of the Refuge including Aiktak, Buldir, Chowiet, St. George, and St. Paul islands.  All of the sites are located along the coast of Alaska, so wet, windy weather and spartan living conditions are the norm.  The hard work and remote locations can be very challenging and this opportunity is not for everyone, but for the right person this experience will be very rewarding.

To apply and for more information, visit The Wildlife Society