The Osa Peninsula supports the largest stands of mature tropical rainforest left on the entire Pacific coast of Mesoamerica, and provides one of the most important wintering areas for neotropical migratory birds in Central America, as well as important stopover habitat for birds heading to and from South America. Osa Conservation (OC), through community-led restoration, is working to restore habitat in the Osa Peninsula and to create a climate adaptive corridor that connects wintering habitats for neotropical birds and others with Piedras Blancas National Park and the Parque Internacional La Amistad. This corridor will help connect key focal wintering areas for species such as the Golden-winged Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. The corridor will also provide habitat for apex birds of prey like the Crested Eagle. However, research is still needed to understand the conservation potential and restoration impacts on bird populations.
The Ornithologist will lead bird monitoring across an altitudinal gradient in the AmistOsa landscape with a special focus on species of concern highlighted by the Neotropical Migratory Birds Conservation Act via traditional monitoring techniques and new monitoring technologies. He/she will also produce and communicate results with government partners, local communities and neotropical migratory bird initiatives and research groups. This position will also lay the groundwork for rewilding Harpy Eagle’s in the Osa Peninsula, exploring and understanding the ecological, economic and social factors to make it a success. Finally, this person will be an eBird ambassador for Costa Rica by reviewing data generated by citizen scientists, training citizen scientists and collaborating with eBird initiatives and activities across Central America.
Roles and responsibilities:
Neotropical Migratory bird conservation research
- Design and implement a long-term bird monitoring program for OC to establish a baseline and understand long-term trends of bird communities across an altitudinal gradient within the Amistosa landscape in response to restoration actions. The program should include a focus on neotropical migratory birds such as the Golden Winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), and the Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi).
- Lead analyses and communication of results to national and international migratory bird conservation groups and initiatives.
- Ensure deployment, and function of 4 Motus towers in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica; data extraction, data analysis and research studies developments to contribute to National and International Neotropical Migratory Bird conservation groups and initiatives. Increase capacity of the Motus by deploying 10 to 30 motus nanotags on focal migratory species, targeting Golden-winged Warblers.
- Design and implement a specialist bird monitoring volunteer program in collaboration with the Osa Conservation Campus to attract volunteers to participate in data gathering during the high migratory season.
Harpy Eagle rewilding initiative
- Co-lead the design and implementation of a strategy for reintroducing Harpy Eagle in the South Pacific of Costa Rica, including key aspects such as key stakeholders, permits required, team requirements, location for handling and releasing birds, monitoring success, prey availability study, community outreach plan and funding requirements.
- Work alongside the Rewilding Coordinator to connect with Global Harpy Eagle rewilding and conservation initiatives to communicate our work and establish international collaborators to lay the groundwork for rewilding Harpy Eagles in the Osa Peninsula.
Citizen Science and outreach
- Become an eBird Ambassador for the AmistOsa landscape in Costa Rica by organizing eBird Big Days and trainings with research groups and local communities in collaboration with the San Vito Bird Club, exploring data to produce summaries for the region and share these results with the local community of citizen scientists.
- Connect with eBird Central America to put the region on the map and collaborate with International eBird initiatives and activities.
Other responsibilities
- Organize educational activities (bird hikes and talks) for students and visitors to the Osa Conservation Campus and deliver high level communications.
- Host talks at local lodges and organizations about Osa Conservations work on bird research and conservation efforts.
- Support other Wildlife program activities as needed.
- Other tasks as assigned by the organization as needed to advance the mission of the organization.
What skills are needed to do this job?
- BSc level degree in wildlife, biology or environmental conservation topic. M.Sc. is highly desirable.
- An experienced and passionate ornithologist who can design, plan and execute holistic bird conservation approaches.
- Knowledge and experience in the region's bird community, particularly neotropical migratory species and monitoring methods to assess the region's bird community.
- Mist netting and bird rigging experience required. License to execute bird ringing in Costa Rica is highly desirable.
- B1 driver's license (automatic and manual).
- Fluent in English and Spanish (oral and written communication).
- Personal attributes: passionate, initiative, positive attitude, innovative, hard-working, ability to work under pressure, results focused, problem solving, good communication, good presentation skills and able/comfortable to travel throughout Costa Rica by themselves.
- Experience working in difficult field conditions for long hours in a tropical rainforest environment (need to be physically fit and healthy).
- Excellent computer skills – Office programs, Gmail and Google Calendar, data management and knowledge or basic skills in statistical analysis (R software), and mapping (QGIS/ArcGIS).
- Good scientific writing skills, experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
- Good teamwork and leadership skills and experience working as part of a multicultural team.
- Willing to live and work in a remote research station, and travel as needed.
In order of importance, your primary responsibilities with the time you will need to spend for each one.
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Research_______________________________30%
Motus Towers and Nanotags________________________________________________25%
eBird Ambassador _______________________________________________________15%
Harpy Eagle Rewilding____________________________________________________ 15%
General OC tasks________________________________________________________ 15%
To apply
Please submit a copy of your resume and a cover letter to hr@osaconservation.org, with “OC Ornithologist position” as the subject line – by the end of day on 7th December, 2023 latest. Be sure to address in the cover letter how you meet the outlined requirements and how you feel that your previous experience makes you suitable for this demanding role.
Applications who do not submit a CV and cover letter will not be considered.
Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
