Our Lucky Peak field station is at the heart of what we do, but camp setup and takedown happens during the busiest times of year for our biologists. We could really use some extra hands during a few key days at the beginning and end of each season to ease the load on our core team. Can you help us out?
We have two new volunteer opportunities available:
- Camp setup and takedown “task experts” (5+ people needed)
- Setup and takedown manager (1-4 people needed)
Setup and Takedown “Task Experts”
We are looking for a core team of volunteers who can learn and become the “expert” at a given setup task (or multiple tasks)
Are you passionate about bird conservation and looking for a long-term volunteer opportunity? The Intermountain Bird Observatory invites dedicated individuals to join our team to help with setup and takedown for our annual Fall Migration Project. This unique volunteer team will work on Lucky Peak camp and raptor trapping station setup/takedown, making you an integral part of our mission to support avian research and conservation efforts.
Tasks
We’re looking for a wide variety of folks who can master one (or many) of the following tasks based on their skills and interests, including:
- Gear storage and loading (setup and takedown)
- Gear cleaning, organization, and maintenance (setup and takedown)
- Songbird net lane clearing (May each year)
- Yurt setup/takedown
- Wall tents setup/takedown
- Kitchen tent gear and furniture setup/takedown
- Camp prep (raking, maintenance, etc) and interpretive sign installation and road signs/access signs
- Raptor blind assembly/takedown
- Raptor trap placement and setup/takedown
- Owl net placement and setup/takedown
- Owl caller electronics setup and maintenance
- Solar panel and battery charge system setup
Qualifications:
- Enthusiastic about assembling and organizing camp/trapping stations.
- Proficient in using basic tools, drill, post hole digger, and post pounder.
- Comfortable driving trailers and trucks; ownership of a pickup truck is a plus.
- Available for a minimum commitment of 4 days per year, with an ideal commitment of 5 days each, at the beginning (July 15) and end (Oct 30) of the season.
- Commitment to volunteering for a minimum of 3 fall seasons.
Compensation
This is a volunteer position. However, we would love to provide personalized and “behind the scenes” bird experiences for folks who assist with setup and takedown for these projects. These could include raptor banding experiences, overnight camping opportunities at our field stations, visits to some of our non-public projects, working closely with our biologists, and more.
How to Join the Team:
Please send a brief email to ibo@boisestate.edu outlining your relevant experience and the roles that interest you most.
If you have any questions or need more details about a given role, please feel free to send an email to HeidiWare@boisestate.edu for more information.
We will reach out to potential volunteers to arrange for you to join us during our July station setup. We look forward to welcoming passionate individuals to our team!
Setup and Takedown Manager
Are you passionate about bird conservation and looking for a long-term volunteer opportunity? The Intermountain Bird Observatory invites dedicated individuals to join our team as Setup and Takedown Managers for our annual Lucky Peak Project. This unique volunteer position involves Lucky Peak camp setup and raptor trapping station setup, making you an integral part of our mission to support avian research and conservation efforts.
Responsibilities:
We expect someone in this long-term volunteer role to apprentice with Intermountain Bird Observatory staff before filling a lead role. You would learn the ins-and-outs of camp setup, eventually taking on a leadership role during setup and takedown in future seasons. Because of the training and experience required we expect this to be a multi-year commitment.
We are looking for individuals who are interested in helping with setup and takedown of the main Lucky Peak camp, Boise Peak raptor station, Lucky Peak raptor station, or all three.
Setup and takedown managers would work to direct a larger crew of “task experts”, students and other volunteers, so having the ability to do lots of heavy lifting is not necessarily a requirement.
1. Camp Setup (Mid July):
- Assemble a team of volunteers for yurt setup, wall tent installation, furniture arrangement, preparing camp for crews and visitors, and sign placement.
- Coordinate the installation of cooking stoves, equipment, and solar panels.
- Perform minor maintenance tasks to ensure the camp is in optimal condition.
- Provide guidance and direction to volunteers during the setup process.
- Deliver porta potties for crew use?
2. Raptor Trapping Station Setup (Mid to Late August):
- Lead the setup of trapping blinds at Lucky Peak and Boise Peak
- Direct a crew to install raptor traps, which includes digging, placing posts, running trap lines, repairing nets, and setting rebar.
- Ensure precision and expertise in the setup of trapping equipment.
- Collaborate with a team of volunteers, providing guidance and leadership.
3. Camp and Raptor Station Takedown (Late October):
- Oversee the efficient takedown of camp and raptor stations.
- Manage a team for dismantling yurts, wall tents, and associated equipment.
- Coordinate the removal and storage of gear, ensuring proper cleanup and maintenance.
- Facilitate teamwork during takedown processes.
- Neatly store all gear and equipment at the Boise River WMA offices off of Highway 21.
Qualifications:
- Enthusiastic about assembling and organizing camp/trapping stations.
- Knowledgeable about using basic hand and/or power tools, i.e, drill, post hole digger, and post pounder, with the ability to teach and train others
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to provide clear directions to a team.
- Comfortable driving trailers and trucks; use of 4-wd and low range on unmaintained roads; ownership of a pickup truck is a plus.
- Available for a minimum commitment of 4 days per year, with an ideal commitment of 5 days each at the beginning and end of the season.
- Commitment to volunteering for a minimum of 3 fall seasons.
- The ability to stand for many hours at a time during outdoor work days. Able to safely traverse uneven terrain and briefly lift up to 40 lbs.
Compensation
This is a volunteer position. However, we would love to provide personalized and “behind the scenes” bird experiences for folks who assist with setup and takedown for these projects. These could include raptor banding experiences, overnight camping opportunities at our field stations, visits to some of our non-public projects, working closely with our biologists, and more.
How to Join the Team:
If you are ready to take on a crucial role as the “brains of the operation” and contribute to bird conservation efforts, please send a brief email to ibo@boisestate.edu outlining your relevant experience and the roles that interest you most. We will reach out to potential volunteers to arrange for you to join us during our July station setup. We look forward to welcoming passionate individuals to our team!
Not sure you’re ready to take on the manager role? Join us as a “task expert” this year, but let us know that you’re possibly interested in the manager role in the future.