Shorebird Migration Technician

Manomet Conservation Sciences is hiring a full-time temporary Shorebird Migration Technician in Plymouth, MA, from May 12 to June 20, 2025. The role involves fieldwork, including shorebird surveys and trapping, as well as lab work like data entry and invertebrate processing. Candidates should have relevant experience, skills in bird handling, and familiarity with data management tools. This position requires travel to field sites and physical endurance.
Manomet is seeking a full-time temporary Shorebird Technician. Working closely with Manomet’s Cape Cod shorebird team and partners, this technician will support our study on the northbound migration ecology of Ruddy Turnstones and Red Knots at New England staging sites. The shorebird technician will assist with both field and lab work. Field work will include shorebird surveys, shorebird trapping (whoosh net or mist net), bird processing (measuring, banding, bleeding, transmitter deployment), collecting sediment samples, and horseshoe crab egg density surveys. Lab work will include extracting invertebrates from sediment samples for identification and processing, and data entry.

This position will run from May 12 to June 20, 2025, and will be based at Manomet headquarters in Plymouth, MA.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Field Work:
• Conduct shorebird surveys (shorebird identification, counting, and flock estimation)
• Assist with shorebird trapping (whoosh net or mist net)
• Process captured shorebirds (measuring, banding, bleeding, transmitter deployment)
• Collect sediment samples
• Horseshoe crab egg density surveys
• Data collection using eBird and ArcGIS Field Maps
• Assist with field work preparations and other tasks as necessary

Lab work:
• Extract invertebrates from sediment samples for identification and processing.
• Enter and manage data using eBird, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Excel.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of relevant work experience
• At least 2 seasons of experience working on biological research and/or monitoring
• Familiarity with shorebird identification and flock estimation
• Experience handling and banding birds
• Demonstrated ability to work independently toward accomplishing goals
• Ability to take direction, work as a team member, and lead volunteers
• Must have a reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Experience driving or trailering motorboats and backcountry camping, preferred
• Familiarity with eBird, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Excel
• Experience processing samples in a lab and using microscopes

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Ability and willingness to travel to Cape Cod and Rhode Island field sites (mileage is reimbursable).
• Field work may require working irregular and long hours, including camping at a field site for up to a week at a time.
• Adverse outdoor conditions may be encountered at field sites, including but not limited to exposure to ticks, poison ivy, biting/stinging insects, extremes in weather (heat, sun, cold temperatures, rain, and high winds).
• This is a physically demanding position. The technician will be required to work on small motorboats, wade up to waist deep in coastal waters, carry up to 40 lbs., and walk long distances in sand.
• The lab component of this position will require spending extended periods of time on a computer or at a lab bench entering data or processing invertebrate samples using a microscope.

Salary: $19.00 per hour

TO APPLY

Email a cover letter, resume, and three references to Liana DiNunzio, ldinunzio@manomet.org.