Seasonal Coastal Bird Technician

The National Audubon Society is hiring three Seasonal Coastal Bird Technicians in coastal Mississippi to monitor and protect beach-nesting birds like Least Terns and Snowy Plovers. Responsibilities include surveying nesting areas, conducting disturbance surveys, and engaging with the public for educational outreach. The position runs from April 7 to early August 2025, requires a valid driver's license, and offers $16.50/hour plus mileage reimbursement. Shared housing is provided, and some weekend work is necessary.
Position Summary

Coastal Mississippi’s beaches are a popular destination for tourists, fishermen, and beachgoers. Several species of birds (including Least Terns, Black Skimmers, and Snowy Plovers) nest on these beaches, creating the potential for disturbance by recreational users. We are seeking three (3) Seasonal Coastal Bird Technicians to survey and monitor nesting areas, help buffer beach-nesting birds against the threats of human disturbance, and offer outreach and education to visitors.

The technician will work with Audubon staff, volunteers, and partners to help monitor and protect the breeding of beach-nesting species on mainland beaches and the nearshore and barrier islands. The coastal bird technician will survey coastal areas, count breeding colonies, perform disturbance surveys, resight banded birds, and track nests, chicks, and their fates. Supervised by the Senior Coordinator of Field Operations, the technician will have opportunities to intimately monitor and protect charismatic beach-nesting bird species and gain outreach and education skills. This position will be split between mainland Least Tern colonies and nesting Black Skimmers, Snowy Plovers, Wilson’s Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and various tern species on Mississippi’s islands. The positions are based in coastal Mississippi (Jackson, Harrison, or Hancock County). Shared housing will be provided. The position will start on 7 April 2025 and terminate in early August (~20 weeks). Occasional weekend and holiday work will be required, including Independence Day. A valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle are required (mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate).

This is a hybrid position that covers the Mississippi coast and islands.

Compensation:

$16.50 / hour + mileage

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions
• Perform beach-nesting bird surveys, monitoring colony size, nest and chick fates, and fledging rates to determine productivity on mainland, nearshore, and barrier islands. Candidate must be comfortable on boats.
• Assist with posting and fencing colonial and solitary bird nesting sites.
• Collect data on human use of beaches and impacts on colonial and solitary nesters.
• Resight banded adult birds and chicks to determine territory ownership and to confirm fledge success.
• Deploy game cameras on active nests and maintain and organize photos throughout the season.
• Work with full-time staff to engage local communities to increase awareness about protecting sensitive beach-nesting birds.
• Enter data daily and maintain order and quality in all existing datasets.
• Properly maintain field equipment and keep supplies and materials organized.
• Participate in other projects as necessary.

Exact combinations of responsibilities may vary among positions but will require working during early mornings and sometimes evenings and weekends, on holidays, and in the Mississippi summer heat. Working on the 4th of July holiday weekend is required. Work weeks will average 40 hours per week across the term of employment but may vary and be unpredictable each week, depending on weather and program needs.

Qualifications and Experience
• Must have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a related field.
• At least one season of work experience in avian ecology or coastal ecosystems is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills.
• Must be willing to work long hours outside under physically demanding conditions (hot, humid, biting insects) and to live in group housing (provided).
• Must be comfortable interacting with the public and staff of multiple partner organizations.
• Must be comfortable riding on a boat
• A valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle are required for travel between housing and nearby work sites; travel will be reimbursed at the current federal rate.
• Must have strong organizational skills and great attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required.
• Experience identifying and counting large groups of coastal birds in eastern North America preferred.
• Flexibility in schedule that accommodates weather conditions, with the ability to work occasional weekends or holidays required.

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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