Overview

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 using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.
Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Position Summary:

As part of the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, the Seasonal Coastal Waterbird Technician is responsible for aiding Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division and US Fish and Wildlife Service efforts to inventory, monitor, and steward coastal waterbirds (Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Least and Common Terns, and Black Skimmers) across the Connecticut shoreline.

Audubon Connecticut will also be participating in the Atlantic Flyway Disturbance Project (AFDP) funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The purpose of this project is to implement strategies to reduce human disturbance impacts on nesting and migrating shorebirds. Social science based strategies will be employed at two sites in conjunction with disturbance and behavioral monitoring to assess effectiveness.

Essential Functions:

The Seasonal Coastal Waterbird Technician will assist conservation scientists with monitoring, research, and management activities for nesting and migratory shorebirds on the coast of Connecticut. Stewardship, inventory and monitoring activities include:
  • Help implement Atlantic Flyway Disturbance Project at four sites along the CT shoreline.
  • Ensure that AFDP data gets entered into the master datasheet weekly and submitted to the Virginia Tech Shorebird Program for analysis.
  • Work with DEEP, USFWS and other Audubon field staff in posting and patrolling bird colonies on beaches and offshore islands.
  • Monitor beach nesting birds for productivity and entering data into online database.
  • Assist DEEP and USFWS staff in stewardship activities of Piping Plovers (exclosing nests) as needed.
  • Educate beach visitors about beach nesting and migrant birds through face-to-face interaction and tabling events.
  • Coordinating monitoring efforts with other Audubon Alliance staff and partners.
  • Assist with end of the season reports.
  • Provide content (pictures and brief descriptions) for Audubon Connecticut social media and documenting disturbances.
  • Additional duties may be assigned to support all aspects of the Coastal Program.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Coursework in active pursuit of a degree in biology, wildlife management, or related field.
  • Experience with waterbird and shorebird identification and/or monitoring for the US east coast.
  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and problem solve in the field.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software; experience with GPS units.
  • Experience and ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken and graphical means.
  • Must have valid driver’s license and safe driving record (employee will be reimbursed for travel between sites).
  • Flexible approach to work, as weekend and holiday work will be required.
  • Must be physically fit, able to walk miles in sand or on rocky coastal terrain and able to lift/carry at least 30lbs.
  • Required to manually install and maintain fencing and exclosures.