The Connecticut Audubon Society is looking to hire a conservationist to work as a seasonal technician for the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds during the 2017 breeding season. Experience is helpful and preferred, but we will train the right candidate. This is a great opportunity to work with several species of shorebirds and waterbirds in a unique estuarine ecosystem.
Seasonal Technician, Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds
Position Summary: To aid efforts by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to inventory, monitor and provide stewardship for Piping Plovers, American Oystercatchers, Least Terns, migratory shorebirds and other coastal Waterbirds through the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds in Connecticut.
Essential Functions: The Seasonal Technician will assist the project coordinator and conservation scientists with monitoring, research, and management activities for nesting shorebirds on the coast of Connecticut.
Responsibilities include posting and patrolling bird colonies on beaches and offshore islands; educating island and beach visitors about beach-nesting birds and migratory shorebirds; maintaining signage; recruiting, training and organizing volunteers for coastal waterbird inventory efforts; monitoring nesting waterbirds for productivity; and assisting DEEP and USFWS staff in stewardship activities of Piping Plovers as needed. Additional duties may be assigned.
Preferred applicants will have previous experience working with beach-nesting shorebirds and other waterbirds. Weekend and holiday work will be required.
Salary range: $12.50 per hour depending on experience, 35 hours per week, from approximately May 1st through September 4th. No benefits. Assistance with housing and/or low cost may be available.
Starting Date: Mid-April to Mid-May through Labor Day, depending on schedule. Some flexibility allowed for qualified students.
Qualifications and Experience
Relationships:
Internal: Work with Connecticut Audubon, Audubon Connecticut, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute staff in Connecticut.
External: Some contact with private landowners, stakeholder groups, state agencies, federal agencies (e.g., U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service), community leaders, conservation organizations, donors, media, and volunteers.
Equipment: (e.g., computer, typewriter, calculator, copy machines, telephone, etc.) MS Office Suite, GPS operation, experience with boating-sea kayaking is a bonus.
Qualifications: (education, training, experience, licenses and skills) Basic qualifications include coursework in active pursuit of a degree in biology, wildlife management, or related field; experience with waterbird and shorebird identification and/or monitoring along the U.S. East Coast; experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software; experience with GPS units and GIS software; must have valid driver's license and safe driving record and undergo criminal background check as per Audubon's policy; experience and ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken and graphical means; ability to assist in operating and trailering boats independently up to 20 feet in length is a bonus.
Physical Requirements: (e.g., lifting, reaching, climb, push/pull, etc.) Working in physically strenuous settings, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and on difficult and hazardous terrain.
Send cover letter and resume to:
Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation
mbull@ctaudubon.org
203 259-6305 x 401
- See more at: http://www.ctaudubon.org/2017/01/seasonal-conservationist-wanted/#sthash.2MyAmsjq.aLIl4eCV.dpuf
