Sierra de Bahoruco Bird Conservation Coordinator
The Ornithological Society of Hispaniola (SOH) seeks a highly motivated individual to coordinate on-the-ground bird conservation and monitoring activities in Loma Charco Azul Biological Reserve and Bahoruco National Park in the Dominican Republic from October 2011 – June 2013. The position will be based out of the small town of Puerto Escondido on the edge these protected areas in the Sierra de Bahoruco of western DR. Primary job activities will include; communication with park guards and park supervisor, conducting bird identification and map/ gps use training programs, conducting bird education programs, data management, and avian monitoring.
The project objectives include training park guards to properly record information in the field, collecting this information and managing it in a data base, training guards to identify two key bird species (Bicknell’s Thrush and Bay-breasted Cuckoo) and providing management action recommendations based on data collection. Other objectives include educating and training local people about birds, and collecting data on the use of Loma Charco Azul and sections of Bahoruco National Park by neotropical migratory birds.. Work will help improve the protection of these protected areas, and improve the understanding of these areas by neotropical migrant birds.
The successful candidate will have: (1) a B.S. or higher in conservation biology, ecology, social sciences, natural resource management or related field; (2) a minimum of 2 years on-the-ground experience in conservation biology or a related field; (3) prior work in Latin America and/or the Caribbean; (4) spoken and written fluency in Spanish and English; (5) excellent oral and written communications skills; (6) demonstrated strong human relations and networking abilities; (8) ability to manage data; (9) a willingness to live in a small, remotetown and (10) ability to identify, or quickly learn to identify, neotropical migratory birds by sight, and local species by sight and sound (11) leadership skills, good decision making skills and the ability to be a self-motivated. This position will report to an in-country supervisor, and oversee a part-time project assistant. There will however be periods of the project where the Bird Conservation Coordinator will be working alone. Preferred candidates must be willing and able to lead the project without daily supervision.
Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience. Basic housing in Puerto Escondido (a remote town) will be included. Candidate should have experience or willingness to drive a motorcycle. Living and working conditions can be difficult, and may include extreme heat, bugs, or rain.
Qualified candidates should submit a resume or curriculum vitae and letter of interest describing why the position interests you and why you feel you are qualified, including names and contact information of 3 references to: Jorge Brocca, Ornithological Society of Hispaniola, by e-mail to jbrocca@soh.org.do Deadline for applications is August 25, 2011 and the anticipated starting date is October 15.
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