Seasonal Coastal Bird Technician

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.

Coastal Mississippi’s beaches are a popular destination for tourists, fishermen, and beachgoers. Several species of birds (including Least Terns, Black Skimmers, and Snowy Plovers) nest on these beaches, creating the potential for disturbance by recreational users. We are seeking two (2) Seasonal Coastal Bird Technicians to help buffer beach-nesting birds against the threats of human disturbance, offer outreach and education to visitors, and survey and monitor nesting areas. The program will have a strong bird monitoring component, which will involve surveying coastal areas, resighting banded birds, counting breeding colonies, as well as tracking nests, chicks, and their fates. Supervised by the Senior Coordinator of Field Operations, the Seasonal Coastal Bird Technician will have opportunities to intimately monitor and protect charismatic beach-nesting bird species as well as gain skills in outreach and education. We will hire two full-time seasonal position based in coastal Mississippi (Jackson, Harrison, or Hancock County). The position will start on 3 April 2024 and terminate in early August (~20 weeks). Occasional weekend and holiday work will be required, including Independence Day. Shared housing will be provided. A valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle are required (mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate).

Compensation:

$15.00-17.00 / hour

• Posting and fencing nesting sites.
• Recording colony disturbance data.
• Monitoring colony size, nest and chick fates, and fledging rates to determine productivity.
  Resighting banded adults and chicks to determine territory ownership and to confirm fledge success.
  Deploying game cameras on active nests and maintaining and organizing photos throughout the season.
• Working with full-time staff to engage local communities to increase awareness around the protection of sensitive beach-nesting birds.
• Entering data daily and maintaining order and quality to all existing datasets.
• Must properly maintain field equipment and keep supplies and materials organized.
• Exact combinations of responsibilities may vary among positions but will require working during early mornings and sometimes evenings and weekends, on holidays, and in the Mississippi summer heat. Working on the 4th of July holiday weekend is required. Work weeks will average 40 hours per week across the term of employment but may vary and be unpredictable each week, depending on program needs.

• Must have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a related field.
• At least one season of work experience in avian ecology or coastal ecosystems
• Excellent interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills.
• Must be willing to work long hours outside under physically demanding conditions (hot, humid, biting insects) and to live in group housing (provided).
• Must be comfortable interacting with the public and staff of multiple partner organizations.
• Must have strong organizational skills and great attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle are required for travel between housing and nearby work sites; travel will be reimbursed at the current federal rate.
• Experience capturing, handling, and banding birds, particularly shorebirds or terns, preferred but not required.
• Flexibility in schedule that accommodates weather conditions, with ability to work occasional weekends or holidays.