Position Summary:
The Shorebird Conservation Biologist is a full-time position responsible for helping Audubon California implement shorebird conservation projects on private lands in the Sacramento Valley and surrounding region, as well as working on other projects helping to protect birds on private lands. Audubon California, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and PRBO-Conservation Science, has created the Migratory Bird Partnership to advance the conservation of migratory birds in California. The partners are working closely with rice and alfalfa farmers in the Central Valley to enhance the value of agricultural lands for waterbirds, particularly shorebirds. This is currently a one year position with an opportunity to extend if additional funding is secured.
Audubon California’s Mission:
The mission of Audubon California is to conserve and restore California's natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. By connecting people with nature, Audubon California will be a leader in creating a powerful California voice for the environment, deeply rooted in and broadly drawn from all parts of our population.
Essential Functions:
• Coordinate compatible agriculture projects and bird monitoring efforts of the Migratory Bird Partnership
• Help develop and implement conservation plans for private farms and ranches.
o Restoration Projects: wetland, riparian, and hedgerow (in collaboration with Landowner Stewardship Program staff).
o Agricultural Field Management: work with farmers to enhance habitat value of agricultural fields, particularly rice.
• Implement bird research and monitoring on private properties in region as part of the Migratory Bird Partnership
• Collaborate with Sacramento Valley Refuge staff on waterbird monitoring and management
• Coordinate citizen scientist volunteers to implement bird monitoring
o Includes assisting in development and coordination of focal species surveys (e.g. Long-billed Curlew).
o Interact with and involve local Audubon chapters in monitoring and other conservation activities.
Relationships:
Internal: The Project Manager will report to Audubon California’s Migratory Bird Ecologist and interact with Audubon California’s Executive Director, Director of Bird Conservation, Director of the Landowner Stewardship Program, and Director of the California IBA Program.
External: Citizen scientist volunteers, private landowners, agency staff, and research collaborators.
Qualifications:
• Degree in ornithology, ecology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with a variety of public and private stakeholders to coordinate and implement conservation projects. Ideally including experience working with private landowners in an agricultural setting.
• Strong field identification skills and knowledge of birds, especially waterbirds. Experience in identification and surveying of vegetation and other wildlife desirable.
• Experience in habitat restoration and/or management desirable, especially with wetlands.
• Experience in creating and using databases; mapping and GIS skills also desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to work both independently and as part of a team. Position will require excellent communication skills with the program team, landowners, and volunteers.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation and ability to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to travel in California, and to work evenings and weekends, as needed; a valid driver’s license.
• Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding field tasks, including but not limited to: extensive hiking during field monitoring work and manual labor required for establishing monitoring plots and assisting in restoration activities.
• Strong commitment to the mission and vision of the National Audubon Society and proven effectiveness in a team setting.
The Project Manager must:
• Be able to traverse a wide range of natural areas, as needed;
• Have adequate visual and auditory ability for bird observation and identification;
• Have the digital and mental skills needed to operate standard office equipment;
• Be able to sit, stand, grasp, lift, carry, walk, climb, kneel, stand, push, and pull as needed.
TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and resume to Rodd Kelsey at
rkelsey@audubon.org .
Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the person best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (handicap) or marital status.