Seasonal Shorebird/Waterbird Field Technician

The Seasonal Shorebird/Waterbird Field Technician assists conservation scientists with monitoring, research, and management activities for nesting shorebirds and colonial waterbirds on the barrier islands and marshes of the Virginia Coast Reserve.
 

The Seasonal Shorebird/Waterbird Field Technician will work closely with a Seasonal Lead Field Technician to conduct the following monitoring and research activities at the Virginia Coast Reserve: shorebird (Piping Plover and American Oystercatcher) and waterbird surveys (terns and skimmers), shorebird and waterbird productivity monitoring, American Oystercatcher banding and resighting and data entry.  The technician will also engage in the following beach nesting bird management activities: posting and patrolling bird colonies on the barrier islands, educating island visitors about beach nesting birds, maintaining signage and conducting visitor use surveys. The position requires one to keep organized, detailed daily field notes, operate a boat to be used for access to the barrier islands, and perform daily maintenance on boats.  Additional duties may be assigned.
 

• Works under close supervision and receives specific and detailed instructions for required tasks and results expected.
• May supervise volunteers on a project basis.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including preserve, volunteers, preserve visitors, and others, providing and obtaining needed information.
• Good physical condition; i.e. able to walk 3-8 miles each day in heat and humidity along remote barrier islands.   
• Comfortable working alone; comfortable working on a boat; willingness and ability to work in remote locations, sometimes during adverse conditions such as heat, humidity, extended exposure to sun and biting insects.
• Some weekend and holiday work required.
• Willingness to work a varied schedule that depends on tide and weather; field sites span approximately 50 miles of coastline and include 10 different sites. 

• Associates Degree in natural resources; environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months of experience.
• Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources.
• Experience with waterbird and shorebird identification and/or monitoring for the US east coast.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Experience working in physically strenuous settings sometimes to the point of physical fatigue, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and on difficult and hazardous terrain.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS degree in biology, wildlife management, or related field preferred, or coursework in active pursuit of a degree in biology, wildlife management, or related field.
• Waterbird and shorebird identification skills.  Experience with monitoring reproductive success of beach nesting birds preferred.
• Experience operating and trailering boats independently up to 20 feet in length.  
• Experience using GPS units and GIS mapping software.   
• Experience communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means.
• Local knowledge of the Eastern Shore of Virginia seaside, tides, and barrier islands preferred.  Must meet Virginia’s Boating Safety Education requirement or will be required to complete an online course prior to start of position.
• Must have valid driver’s license, safe driving record (per TNC’s Auto Safety Program) and provide own transportation and personal automobile insurance.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

• May work in physically strenuous settings sometimes to the point of physical fatigue, in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and on difficult and hazardous terrain

Current funding provides for $12.00 per hour, 40 hours/week, 20 weeks duration.  Position duration may change depending on funding sources.  Few benefits. Assistance with housing may be available. Desired start date is early April, however later dates can be considered.
 

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
 

$12/hour

To apply to position number 42705, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 11, 2015.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer