Science Museum of Minnesota: Warner Nature Center

Volunteer Job Description

Position Title: Bird Banding Assistant

Department: Warner Nature Center Division: Education
Reports to: Julie Grecian Telephone: 651.433.2427 x12
Hours/Week: 6 hours/week Scheduled Days: Open

General Description: Help to capture and band songbirds during spring and fall
migration and occasionally during the summer months. Bird banding assistants
maintain and set mist nets, remove birds from the nets, and measure and
record data on each bird before it is banded. Position requires knowledge of
the Pyle Reference Guide and the North American Banders’ Study Guide
(training provided). Hiking over uneven terrain in all weather conditions is a
regular aspect of this position.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Bird banding assistants must be able to hike in rough terrain in all

weather.
2. They must have a desire to participate in hands-on field research with
live animals in capricious spring and fall weather.
3. Patience for removal of birds from nets and for the measuring and
recording of data is also important.
4. Ability to work as a member of a team, and a willingness to learn are
needed.
5. Bird banding assistants must be willing to commit to one 8:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. day per week during 8-week spring and fall banding seasons.

Job Requirements:

1. Basic communication skills and ability to interact positively with a wide

variety of people.
2. Mature judgment and ability to cope with problems that may arise, as
well as the ability to respond to potential crisis situations in a responsible
way.
 3. Professional attitude.
4. Ability to work well with people in a team-oriented workplace setting.
5. Keep information about future museum programming strictly confidential.
6. Represent the programming goals and mission of the Science Museum of
Minnesota with professionalism and accuracy.
7. Observe and immediately report any security or visitor safety concerns.
8. Be punctual and reliable and provide timely notice of any absences.
9. Attempt to cover missed shifts using substitute list.
10. Conduct duties in an unbiased manner in accordance with the Science
Museum of Minnesota’s mission statement and guiding principles by which
all clients, volunteers and staff are treated equally regardless of race,
gender religion, age, physical or mental abilities and/or sexual
orientation.
11. Other duties as assigned.
12. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Signatures:
Volunteer____________________________________Date___________________

Supervisor____________________________________Date___________________