Texas Coastal Avian Field Technician (3 positions)

American Bird Conservancy Multiple, Texas
Deadline Jan 18, 2019
 
We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated technicians to protect, monitor, and conduct public outreach for beach-nesting bird species at sites along the Texas coast. Primary duties will include: identifying, posting, and maintaining nesting habitat for Least Terns, Wilson’s Plovers, and Snowy Plovers using signs and symbolic fencing at designated study sites; conduct weekly surveys to collect breeding data on adults, nests, and broods, and document habitat and disturbances. Adherence to an established protocol is required. Technicians will participate in additional scientific monitoring including (but not limited to) trapping and banding plover adults and chicks, and re-sighting banded birds.

Technicians will also perform public outreach and education about imperiled beach-nesting birds at critical nesting areas and at community events. Busy weekends and holidays will be targeted for stewardship activities at nesting locations where human recreation is present. Weekend work is required and the technician will work Memorial Day and July 4th. Individuals will work closely with volunteers, and seek out new volunteers and other community members when conducting education and bird stewardship activities. The position may require technicians to conduct informative presentations to local community and/or school groups about beach-nesting birds and coordinate volunteer efforts to deploy additional stewards at critical nesting areas with high human use.

Technicians will be expected to maintain all field data electronically and conduct basic data analysis of these data to include in interim and final reports as per the grant requirements funding this position. Regular reviews of data management will be conducted.

This is a coast-wide collaborative effort to implement conservation activities for beach-nesting birds in Texas. Technicians will work closely with all project partners which include American Bird Conservancy, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, and Houston Audubon.

Technicians will help with other related on-site activities as assigned by any of the project partners.

Location: One technician will be hired for each of the regions along the Texas coast: Galveston and surrounding area, Corpus Christi, and Port Isabel/South Padre Island area.

Date: March – August 2019. Start and end dates vary by location.

Compensation: Pay will be $3100 per month. A mileage reimbursement up to $2000 is given for the season. A monthly housing stipend will be provided. This is a contract position (1099 income) and taxes will not be withheld from monthly pay. Contractor is expected to provide proof of housing (i.e. lease) and will submit an invoice each month including mileage between study sites to receive payment.

Hours: This is a full-time seasonal position and requires working weekends and holidays (Memorial Day and July 4th). A 40-hour work week is required, and possibly up to 50 hours during the peak season (April-May).

Qualifications: Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Natural Resources, Wildlife Sciences, or a related field, and be experienced in shorebird and seabird monitoring and research protocols. Experience with shorebird identification, surveying, locating nests and re-sighting banded beach-nesting birds is required. Experience with trapping and banding birds is strongly desired.

Strong verbal and written communication skills are a must and will include conflict resolution. Applicants must be comfortable communicating and working with recreational beach users, volunteers, community members, and staff of multiple partner organizations.

A significant portion of time will be spent viewing birds through binoculars and high-powered scopes, and standing and walking outside along long stretches of beach habitat in hot, sunny conditions. Weather conditions vary and may include, cold, strong winds, rain and storms, heat, and high humidity – biting insects will be prevalent throughout the season. Candidates must be able to physically and mentally work in these conditions.

Basic Microsoft Word and Excel skills are required. Report writing skills are desirable. Valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle are required for travel between work sites. Personal vehicles will be exposed to sand and salt as work is conducted in a coastal barrier environment.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Instructions: Send cover letter, resume, 3 references, and unofficial college transcript to: Kacy Ray at kray@abcbirds.org and Kristen Vale at kvale@abcbirds.org. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and deadline is January 18, 2019 by 5 p.m.