Position Summary
The Conservation Specialist plans and implements of major projects on shorebird monitoring and management in conjunction with senior staff. The Conservation Specialist also participates in shorebird science field projects in coordination with the Director of Shorebird Science. The primary responsibilities of the position include independently planning and implementing two major shorebird conservation science initiatives, the International Shorebird Survey, and the series of Shorebird Management Workshops.
The International Shorebird Survey is the longest running shorebird monitoring system in the U.S., and has been providing critical data for conservation planning and implementation since 1972. Manomet coordinates the survey, and provides leadership to many participating organizations and individuals working collaboratively to provide critical data on changes in shorebird populations at local, regional, and international scales.
The Shorebird Management Workshops include identification of shorebird species in the field, and planning and implementation of management activities to support increasing populations, particularly during migration. These workshops have been attended by thousands of individuals from federal and state conservation agencies, as well as private non-governmental organizations interested in improving their management activities on habitats used by shorebirds. There is a well developed curriculum on these topics, but the successful candidate will have the task of updating the material to be presented, and tailoring it to meet the needs of various partner agencies.
The position is currently fully funded for 1.5 years, and will be extended if funding is available. The position is located at Manomet’s headquarters in Manomet, Massachusetts.
About Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
For 40 years, Manomet has worked to build a sustainable world based on healthy natural systems that support human and wildlife populations. We are a trusted leader in the non-advocacy use of science for problem-solving, and have a long history of working collaboratively with entities that have the capacity to leverage change. Manomet’s commitment to achieve a more sustainable world recognizes that humans are not living sustainably—that we are using resources up—and that saving nature can no longer be viewed as somehow separate from saving ourselves. If we can live sustainably, then we have a chance of saving nature as well.
The natural systems that both people and wildlife depend upon are being impacted as never before by climate change, habitat loss, increased consumption of natural resources and other pressing issues. At Manomet, we are facing these challenges with optimism, using sound science, partnerships, and innovative approaches to forge lasting solutions. We are committed to understanding how our economic and social well-being is linked to nature, and we are taking action through our major initiatives to bring hope for future generations.
Manomet plays a special dual role in pursuing a sustainable planet. First, we convene relevant stakeholders with many different interests to chart a vision of the future they seek to create—a sustainable future. Second, we bring technical knowledge to bear on helping people take action on the future they seek to build. This special combination of both “convening” and “solving,” and being respectful of the many diverse and legitimate interests in natural resources, enables us to create enduring solutions to sustainability.
About Manomet’s Shorebird Recovery Project
Shorebirds species are in decline throughout the hemisphere, and halting that decline is an enormous challenge. It means, in large part, protecting and managing a vast constellation of places dotting the hemisphere where shorebirds go for their survival —from northern breeding grounds to southern wintering grounds and all the resting and refueling sites in between. Thankfully, their most challenging characteristic—migration—is also what serves to connect the places and communities that “share” them throughout the year. It also means conducting more advanced and coordinated research to fill the sizeable gaps in our knowledge about the size and trend of individual species’ populations, migration patterns, and other critical information.
The daunting task of recovering species at this scale and scope can only be accomplished by working collaboratively with many partners: academic and agency scientists, individual landowners, corporations, all levels of government, other conservation organizations, schools, community groups, and the funding community. When we work together across the hemisphere to protect shorebirds and their resources, we are in turn protecting and improving the quality of life for ourselves.
The Shorebird Recovery Project is a hemispheric initiative spearheaded by Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences to recover our most imperiled shorebird populations. This partnership-based initiative integrates and builds upon three of Manomet’s long-standing pillars:
- The site-based conservation of the ever-growing Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN);
- The science-based, cutting-edge research on factors limiting shorebird populations; and
- The tools for monitoring and measuring shorebirds’ response to conservation efforts (“success measures”), and adapting our actions or research accordingly.
Essential Functions
The Conservation Specialist is the lead position responsible for overseeing the International Shorebird Survey, and for designing and delivering shorebird management workshops. Specific responsibilities include:
International Shorebird Survey (ISS) (50%)
- Develop strategies in consultation with the Director of Shorebird Science and the Director of SRP to support successful operation of the ISS.
- Work with ISS partners to improve survey design and implementation.
- Manage data submitted by cooperators both through the website and on paper, and help prepare data for analyses.
- Recruit volunteers to conduct surveys at high priority sites.
- Communicate survey results and accomplishments to volunteers, partner agencies, and supporters.
- Help support ISS with fundraising from donors, foundations, and agencies.
Shorebird Management Workshops (50%)
- Revise the curriculum for the Shorebird Management Workshop, working with SRP partners to tailor the material to their needs.
- Organize and produce workshops, assemble appropriate teams of experts to contribute to each workshop, and act as lead instructor.
- Help support the management workshop program with fundraising from donors, foundations, and agencies.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have:
- A bachelor’s degree in natural resources or wildlife ecology.
- At least five years of related experience or equivalent training.
- A proven history of working independently with a broad range of stakeholders.
- A strong working knowledge of shorebird ecology and management.
- Established relationships with the stakeholders in the shorebird conservation field.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Basic computer skills and working knowledge of GIS.
- Experience with managing field studies and supervising technicians.
- Previous participation in a Manomet Shorebird Workshop highly desirable.
How to Apply
Please email a letter of interest and your resume as attachments to jobs@manomet.org. Please reference the job title “Conservation Specialist – SRP”, in the subject line. The position is available immediately and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. The position will be filled as soon as a qualified applicant is selected.
Manomet offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive package of benefits. Manomet is an equal opportunity employer.