Coastal Bird Technician, Louisiana

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.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

Audubon Delta is a regional field office of the National Audubon Society. Audubon Delta manages Audubon's conservation and network priorities in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This geography includes 81 Important Bird Areas covering more than 16 million acres and over 42,000 Audubon members and supporters, many of whom belong to one of Audubon's 21 local chapters.

Reporting to the Louisiana Stewardship Manager, the Coastal Bird Technician will be responsible for conducting coastal bird surveys, outreach and education, and providing technical instruction and support for volunteers and community members in southeastern Louisiana. Primarily focused on Audubon Delta’s stewardship sites in the Grand Isle area, the technician will provide support during bird nesting season in summer and during winter and migratory seasons through the Audubon Coastal Bird Survey (ACBS) program. Research and monitoring opportunities may also be available in the New Orleans region. They will work closely with Audubon staff, volunteers, and partners to help protect and monitor the breeding of Least Terns, Wilson’s Plovers, and Common Nighthawks on Grand Isle and Elmer’s Island in southeastern Louisiana, and conduct winter/migratory research through the ACBS program

This is a full-time, year-round position that is grant funded through the end of 2024. Extensions may be possible depending on additional funding being secured.

Essential Functions

• Conduct coastal bird surveys in southeastern Louisiana
• Implement stewardship best practices including posting and fencing nesting sites, monitoring disturbance rates, and engaging with the public
• Collect field data including colony size, nest and chick fate, and fledging rates to determine productivity, and participate in bird banding, resighting banded birds, and conducting Audubon Coastal Bird Surveys.
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection and reporting, and ensure that all monitoring efforts follow approved protocols and best management practices as established by Audubon
• Under supervision from the Stewardship Manager and Senior Program Manager, develop and maintain productive working relationships with all partnering organizations, agencies, groups and individuals participating in the program
• Participate in communications and marketing efforts, which may include developing content for social media, newsletters, annual reports, and website content
• Recruit, train, and oversee volunteers, provide technical assistance in bird identification and with monitoring protocols, and assist the Stewardship Manager with organizing volunteer events
• Participate in other research and non-research activities as assigned
• Maintain proper care and inventory of all project equipment and vehicles

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Ornithology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience and demonstrated success in avian monitoring including bird identification by sight and sound.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences; scientific writing skills required.
• Strong organizational and relationship building skills; excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and work as part of a team.
• Reliable, self-motivated and able to work comfortably in a dynamic, non-structured environment.
• Willingness and flexibility to work nonstandard hours (early mornings, evenings, etc.) and weekends as the job demands.
• Specific experience identifying and monitoring coastal shorebirds, wading birds, gulls and terns.
• Knowledge of Gulf Coast conservation issues.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult terrain while maintaining a positive attitude, with or without accommodation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint, and knowledge of eBird; additional programs (e.g., Microsoft Access) a plus.
• Must have valid Driver’s License, preference for access to personal vehicle, and ability to responsibly drive company vehicles.
• Passion for the National Audubon Society’s mission.
• Preference for experience operating a boat in marine conditions a plus.
• Preference for experience capturing and banding coastal birds, especially terns and/or plovers, a plus.
• Preference for experience identifying marshbird species by sight and sound, a plus.

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.

Accessibility Statement

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COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.