Found this in the Bird Jobs Email. At first, it sounded like an interesting and fun position, until a few lines into the explanation of “adverse conditions”:
EXPERIENCED FIELD ASSISTANTS desired: Seeking two assistants to work in Costa Rica on a study of vocal communication in threatened yellow-naped amazon parrots. The focus of this NSF-funded project is observational and experimental based research on parrot communication. This position also involves nest finding and monitoring, and involvement in a conservation program at local schools. Assistants must be quick-thinking, motivated, hard working, and willing to work in adverse conditions including insects, mud, wind and heat. Last field season was a bad tick year; we frequently found clumps of over 100 baby ticks crawling on us. Field work is 6 days a week and is demanding; expect to work hard. Anyone can apply, but Spanish-speaking ability and experience with tree-climbing, video and audio-recording, animal behavior and/or parrots are a plus. Must be able to work both independently and with a team, as well as with children during a conservation based program. Non-smokers preferred. Under-represented minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Duration of project is early Jan to late Mar. Benefits include $1000 salary, up to $650 towards airfare, free group lodging and many beautiful sunrises with the parrots. Food and health insurance not included. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, contact info for two references, and a copy of your transcripts. Contact: CHRISTINE DAHLIN, (EM: crdahlin@nmsu.edu) or mail to 602 Texas Ave, Las Cruces NM 88001.
Yikes! My biggest fear as a birder is NOT:
1. being mauled by a bear in PA
2. being drowned by rain
3. freezing to death
It’s finding even ONE tick on me–much less hundreds! No job pays that much!
Eeeeeuuuuwww. *shudders* Otherwise it sounds cool, but (*yurch*) that’s nasty.
But ticks voluntarily jump off of you, as you wrote earlier… as one of your readers said (sorry, don’t recall her name): “They don’t Lyme you!”
Go for the job, take NBB with you and ship Cinnamon to Amsterdam. I’ll babysit untill you’re back again.
It was Dea’s joke. On July 12th.
For that many ticks they ought to offer at least $1500…but if the ticks are edible, that takes care of the food issue. What’s the 401K like?
*wouldn’t actually eat a tick ;P *
YUCKY.
How big is a baby tick anyway? And how big is a “clump” of 100 baby ticks? And how disgusting is this idea?
Oh, too bad I can no longer climb up in the trees. And my high school Spanish is not that great. Otherwise, I’d jump at the chance for a job like this! Is there such a thing as being too honest about the conditions of the job?