Seasonal Biological Technician

Position Summary

The seasonal biological technician will assist the coastal biologist in monitoring and managing Audubon North Carolina’s sanctuary system for the purpose of providing habitat for nesting shorebirds, including American Oystercatchers. The technician will be responsible for monitoring oystercatcher, plover, and tern numbers and productivity on assigned island(s), collecting accurate data, maintaining and enforcing signage, educating the public, interacting with volunteers, and assisting with other related activities as needed. The technician will work long hours independently in adverse outdoor conditions and access most work sites by outboard motorboat.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working outdoors, have his/her own reliable transportation, and be available March through September. This is a seasonal (i.e., temporary) job with no benefits and no housing provided.

Compensation:

$17.00-$18.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Monitor American Oystercatcher, Least Tern, and Piping and Wilson’s Plover abundance and productivity on barrier islands and other coastal sites: locate, mark, and track nests to success or failure, recording accurate data.

• Post nesting areas and maintain postings throughout the summer: lift and carry multiple 8’ wooden posts, use post-hole diggers and other hand tools.

• Monitor sea turtle nesting activity and install predator exclosure cages: identify crawls and dig 2’ trenches.

• Carry out protocols for specific monitoring and research projects and provide logistical support for the same: remain alert and observant for long periods of time, follow directions in detail, communicate effectively with partners and co-workers.

• Maintain accurate, detailed data: keep a regular field journal, maintain data sheets and spreadsheets, assist in producing written report and/or summary spreadsheets at the end of the season.

• Conduct shorebird surveys: identify shorebirds and gulls and terns, use binoculars and a spotting scope, count birds rapidly and accurately.

• Assist with other activities as needed, including volunteer events, educational activities, and waterbird surveys: engage positively with the public and volunteers.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife management, or related field preferred, or 1-2 years of experience carrying out related field work.

• Previous experience monitoring nesting shorebirds and colonial waterbirds strongly preferred; previous experience monitoring nesting sea turtles preferred.

• Previous experience identifying birds, either recreationally as a birdwatcher or in previous work; ability to identify shorebirds (sandpipers, plovers, and their relatives) and other waterbirds (gulls, terns, etc.) strongly preferred.

• Ability to operate outboard motorboats up to 23’ in inshore waters and ability to tow, launch, and recover outboard motorboats up to 23’. Previous boating experience strongly preferred. Previous towing experience preferred.

• Good written and oral communication skills, as well as strong organizational; ability to interact positively with the public and volunteers as well as with co-workers.

• Proficient in MS Office suite.

• Must possess valid driver's license and have the ability to pass NC boater’s license test.

• Must be able to walk up to 25 miles/week over sand and be able to work outdoors in adverse conditions (cold, extreme heat, humidity, biting insects, etc.).

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs, use manual post-hole diggers, and use other types of hand tools.

• Must be comfortable working alone, unsupervised, on the water and on uninhabited islands.

• Must be willing to start work early (sometimes before sunrise), work long, flexible hours, and work on weekends and holidays as needed, including Memorial Day Weekend and the Fourth of July.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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