National Audubon Society

　　Coastal Waterbird Technician and Boating Assistant

　　US-CT-Southbury | US-CT

　　Job ID:2024-5588Type:Seasonal, Full-Time# of Openings:1Category:ScienceNational Audubon Society

　　Overview

　　The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

　　North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds - and our planet - are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

　　Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

　　Position Summary

　　The Audubon Connecticut Coastal Waterbird Technician and Boating Assistant will work as a member of the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds. The Alliance is a partnership between Audubon CT, the Connecticut Audubon Society, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division, The Nature Conservancy, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Alliance implements conservation efforts statewide to protect nesting areas and reduce disturbance, while monitoring the breeding populations of five focal species (Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, Common Tern and Black Skimmer). The Coastal Waterbird Technician and Boating Assistant is responsible for aiding the efforts to inventory, monitor, and steward the five species of breeding coastal waterbirds on mainland beaches and offshore islands in Connecticut. This is a great opportunity to work with several species of shorebirds and waterbirds in a unique estuarine ecosystem along the coast of Connecticut.

　　The Coastal Waterbird Technician and Boating Assistant is a seasonal, full-time position, 35 hours per week, and is slated for March 18, 2024, through September 15, 2024.

　　Compensation:

　　$18-$20/hour

　　This role is on-site based in coastal Connecticut and the Bent of the River Center, 185 East Flat Hill Rd., Southbury, Connecticut.

　　Responsibilities

　　The Coastal Waterbird Technician and Boating Assistant will assist conservation scientists with monitoring, research, and management activities for nesting and migratory shorebirds along the coast of Connecticut. Stewardship, inventory and monitoring activities include:

　　Working with Alliance partners field staff to monitor and manage island and beach-nesting birds and reduce human disturbance at nesting sites by positively and professionally enforcing site ordinances while educating the public about the protected shorebird species.Help implement Phase 4 of the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Disturbance Project at four sites, which includes weekly data collection, implementing intervention strategies, participating in project outreach and data analysis for inclusion in final report.Assist with the safe operation of a 15 skiff to mon tor island nesting species, such asAmerican Oystercatcher and Common Tern on a weekly basis.Coordinate management and monitoring efforts with other Audubon Alliance field staff and partners.Participate in weekly Alliance conference calls and communicate with Alliance staff via Slack, text, phone and email.Assist with the installation, maintenance and removal of string fencing, signage and Piping Plover nest exclosures throughout the season.Locate and monitor island and beach-nesting birds, including nest searching, collecting nest and chick survival data, documenting predators and instances of human disturbance.Engage with the public to educate beach visitors about beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds to reduce disturbances at nesting sites and interact with partners and landowners (private, municipal and State) to coordinate management.Conduct census surveys and patrol historical nesting sites for focal species.Daily and weekly data entry into online database.Assist with the American Oystercatcher banding project and accurately recording and reporting sightings of all banded birds.Assist with data analysis and end of the season reports.Provide content (pictures and brief descriptions) to document disturbances, for inclusion in final reports, and for Audubon Connecticuts social media.Additional duties may be assigned to support all aspects of the Coastal Program.Qualifications

　　Must have a Safe Boating Certificate or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (Connecticut certification preferred.)Experience trailering, launching, and operating a motorboat on Long Island Sound is a plus.Bachelors degree and Masters degree in biology, wildlife management required, and related field along with previous field work experience is preferred.Experience with waterbird and shorebird identification and/or monitoring for the US East Coast is preferred.Experience trapping and handling bird species, shorebird banding experience is a plus.Ability to work independently, take initiative, and problem solve in the field while being part of a larger team.Experience collecting, managing, and maintaining a large data set with detailed field notes and accurate data entry.Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software for data entry and report writing and experience with GPS units.Experience and ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken and graphical means along withresponding to communications in a prompt and timely manner.Must have valid driver's license and safe driving record (technicians will be reimbursed for travel between field sites.)Flexible approach to work to accommodate frequent schedule changes based on site needs and weather conditions. This may include some early mornings and/or late evenings.Ability to work one weekend day during peak beach season and over the Memorial Day and Independence Day holiday weekends is required.Experience conducting field work as this is a field intensive position. Ability to adapt to adverse field conditions such as inclement weather, variable temperatures, poison ivy, and biting insects.Must be physically fit and tolerate walking miles in sand or on rocky coastal terrain, able to lift/carry at least 40lbs with or without accommodation and to manually install and maintain fencing and Piping Plover nest exclosures in rocky substrate.Interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.Apply Here:

　　https://www.click2apply.net/