JIBS is continuously seeking conscientious persons to donate their time and skills. Volunteers with excellent hand/eye coordination, a steady hand, and love of puzzles are welcome. Must be tolerant of heat, cold, and mosquitoes! Have the ability to walk through loose sand for half a day. Listen to instructions and performs per instructions. Must have a desire to learn about the natural world, particularly birds. The station is currently operated under the direction of Charles Ratliff, Jan Pitman, and Chris Pitman, all licensed bird banders. Everyone is personally trained to perform all tasks to station standards. There are various jobs available.
Net Monitor: Patrols the nets for captured birds. Alerts qualified net picker for extraction of birds. Also shuttles bagged birds to the bander and relays bags and other supplies as needed to the Net Picker. There is no direct bird to person contact required. Little training required.
Net Picker: Patrols the nets for captured birds and extracts captured birds from the net. Training and certification by our banders required. Extensive training required.
Recorder: Notates measurements and other data as dictated by the bander Listens to the bander intently and has precise handwriting. No direct bird to person contact required. Moderate training required.
Technical Help: Our website does not work! If you can help please call or email Chris Pitman.
Especially valuable: All of our team that has served JIBS in the past seasons! We look forward to have you back.
How to apply: Let Chris, Charles, or Jan know when you can come to help out by e-mail, phone or in writing. Our new e-mail address is: ovenbird@att.net
Housing: To provide an affordable housing option for JIBS volunteers, we are renting a different house on the island. The cost is $25 a night per person. A weekly rate is available. Accommodations are limited and include full kitchen and laundry facilities. Please RSVP to the Pitman’s for the house soon as you set your dates.