Lee County Anchor Steward

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 Florida supports management of beach-nesting birds at many locations on the Gulf Coast and Northeast Atlantic Coast of Florida by surveying, posting, stewarding and protecting nesting areas from disturbance. To better monitor and protect the nesting shorebirds along beaches and other nest sites, Audubon is hiring a seasonal Bird Anchor Steward to work at beach-nesting bird sites within Lee County, Florida. The site most likely requiring stewardship is a Black Skimmer and Least Tern colony on Fort Myers Beach near the Little Estero Critical Wildlife Area. There are also nesting Wilson’s and Snowy Plovers in the area. The primary responsibility of the Anchor Steward is to organize and train volunteers to help monitor nesting birds and to conduct public outreach around the sea/shorebird nesting areas.

This is a part-time, 20-hour per week, seasonal position focused on weekends and holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, if nesting persists through the latter. The position is expected to begin April 17, 2023 and continue through the end of nesting season, to be determined in consultation with supervisor. Nesting may persist into late-August to mid-September but can end early in the event of a catastrophic event or other total loss of nesting activity.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Essential Functions

Under the direction of Audubon’s Southwest Florida Monitoring and Stewardship Project Manager, the Lee County Anchor Steward will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Monitor nesting birds and conduct minimum weekly counts of nests, chicks, and fledged young of each nesting species, and enter/report data to the supervisor.
• Assist site managers and Audubon staff with installing symbolic fencing around new nest areas as needed.
• Conduct public outreach at nesting beaches on weekends and holidays generally between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hours may run longer per day or change as needed, and this is anticipated on holiday weekends.
• Assist with recruiting volunteers; train and schedule volunteers to chaperone nesting birds and conduct public outreach at nesting beaches on weekends and holidays.
• Work closely with site managers and Audubon staff, external partners, and volunteers in a positive and professional manner at all times.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience and ability with verbal communication.
• Experience and ability with record-keeping and summarizing data for grant-required reports.
  Ability to recruit, train, support, and schedule volunteers.
• Work well independently and with other staff and volunteers.
  A positive and diplomatic attitude.
• Demonstrated capability of physically active work on sandy beaches carrying field equipment during Florida summer field conditions. Ability to move 30 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a personal vehicle suited for transportation to complete assigned tasks.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Familiarity with Lee County beaches preferred.
• Previous experience with monitoring and stewardship for one sea/shorebird nesting season preferred, but similar experience will be considered.

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.