Rangeland Monitoring and Bird Point Count Crew Leaders

American Bird Conservancy

Rangeland Monitoring and Bird Point Count Crew Leaders (2)

Location:             Texas OR Oklahoma

Duration:             April 3 – June 16

Job Type:             Temporary Position

Salary:                 Monthly salary $3,500 with field housing included

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Introduction:

American Bird Conservancy and partners of the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture (OPJV) are hiring rangeland monitoring and bird point count technicians to survey grassland/rangeland conservation projects on private lands. Projects were initially designed to create and improve grassland habitat for priority grassland birds and other priority wildlife through implemented habitat management practices. Technicians will collect vegetation data on these sites using the line-point intercept and canopy gap methods following protocols similar to Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy and the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Natural Resources Inventory (NRI). Plant identification will be an important part of this data collection, as detecting changes in plant communities over time is integral to the project’s success. Additionally, technicians will perform grassland bird point counts to assess responses of birds to habitat management practices and vegetative change. Technicians will be trained together in monitoring methods and then split into two crews. Surveys will be performed with one crew in north Texas and with another crew in Oklahoma. There is also the potential to survey additional sites pending the speed and success of the field season, which may include portions of central and southern Texas. In addition to technician duties, crew leaders will be expected to lead the survey schedule planning, assist with training technicians, plan and manage field gear and data needs, and manage day-to-day decision making for their team. Coordination with local biologists and OPJV staff will be a critical part of this position. Successful candidates will have Texas/Oklahoma plant ID experience, experience with plant and/or rangeland surveys, bird identification skills, excellent communication skills, and a strong, independent work ethic.

Primary Duties:

1. Field supervision of 1 technician, development of survey schedule, assistance with training, management of gear and data needs, day-to-day decision making in the field. Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture staff will be available to provide support and guidance where needed.

2. Vegetation surveys following the line-point intercept method, canopy gap method, and additional measures of vegetation and rangeland health.

3. Identification of common plant species and plant species considered a priority to habitat management of grasslands. Other species will be identified to key functional groups.

4. Early-morning points counts on private lands to survey bird communities (will require hiking and coordination with landowners and biologists to access).

5. Coordinating with local biologists, OPJV staff, and landowners to gain access to private and public lands as needed. Additionally, coordinating with biologists to receive local training on plant ID, bird ID, protocol updates, etc. as needed.

Candidates will be expected to work long hours with early starts in relatively difficult field conditions (e.g., high temperatures, exposure to the elements (sun, wind, rain), intense hiking, active cattle pastures, venomous snakes, cactus, chiggers, ticks, etc.).

• Housing will be arranged and may include AirBnB/VRBO, trailers, camping, bunkhouses, hotels, and other forms of field housing. As such, candidates should be flexible about housing, are expected to adhere to current health advisories, and will be respectful of those around them.

• Technicians will regularly be interacting with Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture partner organizations/agencies and landowners. As such, technicians must have excellent interpersonal skills as they will be expected to represent the OPJV and may be required to professionally interact with landowners in person or over the phone.

• Technicians will be required to drive a personal vehicle to and from field sites.

  • Mileage will be reimbursed for personal vehicles driven for work purposes during the field season.
  • Personal vehicles should be in good condition and able to handle dirt/gravel roads.

*Note that road conditions may be difficult in some areas depending on weather.

• Work schedules typically consist of 1-2 weeks on followed by several days off. However, timing of and the number of days off is highly dependent upon weather conditions and is subject to change throughout the field season.

This is an opportunity to be part of a large-scale grassland conservation effort involving partner conservation agencies and organizations in Texas and Oklahoma. Many of the sites visited have not been surveyed previously, so flexibility and patience will be an asset.

Qualifications:

• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to oversee field technicians and fieldwork with minimal daily supervision
• Experience with Texas plant identification, especially grasses and forbs
• Experience with vegetation surveys
• Experience with identification of Texas birds, especially grassland birds
• Experience with rangeland monitoring (e.g. NRCS’ NRI) is preferred but not required
• Experience with collecting data using Survey123 is preferred but not required
• Experience conducting avian point counts is preferred but not required
• Meticulous data collection skills
• Excellent navigational abilities
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Must be ≥ 18 years old, and a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Background screening required
• Willing to gain basic Red Cross CPR/First Aid Training (ABC to cover the course attendance fees)

If you have trouble, please send your cover letter and resume as one document to HR@abcbirds.org

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work environment for all of our employees.

As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.