Seasonal Grassland Bird Technician

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 Great Plains is a growing conservation leader in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska, establishing creative programs to protect, conserve, and enhance habitat for a wide variety of bird species. From backyard conservation to vast prairies and prairie wetlands, Audubon Great Plains is on the leading edge of advancing conservation in the Northern Great Plains. We are heavily involved with private and public stakeholders to ensure that the future is bright for birds and the community of the Northern Great Plains, because we believe that “Where birds thrive, people prosper”.

The Seasonal Grassland Bird Technician provides key data collection services to support decision making by landowners and land managers enrolled in Audubon Great Plains working lands programs. The Seasonal Grassland Bird Technician will work under the supervision and guidance of the Audubon Great Plains working lands team to perform a variety of duties related to monitoring rangeland community conditions and pollinator and avian community response to applied land management. The grassland bird technician will be responsible for primary data collection, documentation, and data entry/analysis. Other duties as assigned.

The work is performed outdoors, possibly in rugged terrain and variable weather at remote locations. The technician will work alone and in team environments, and during early morning or late evening hours as needed. Extensive travel may be required. Technicians will maintain high quality communication with landowners and Audubon staff to ensure monitoring is accurately and quickly completed.

This is a 16 week seasonal position, to start in early May and end in late August/early September. The first half of the season is focused on avian monitoring through both point and transect counts; the second half on pollinator monitoring, vegetation monitoring, professional development, and data entry. Position will be located remotely in North Dakota; candidate may provide their own housing or housing may be available near Jamestown, ND.

Compensation:

$20.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Complete grassland bird, pollinator, and vegetation monitoring using established protocols on project lands enrolled in the Audubon Great Plains working lands programs: Audubon Conservation Ranching Program, Prairie Management Toolbox, and Conservation Forage Program.
• Organize collected data and enter monitoring data into computer and online databases accurately.
• Effectively communicate monitoring results with range ecologists and program manager to inform habitat organization plans and program compliance.
• Maintain professional communication with enrolled landowners.
• Utilize ArcCollector and Field Maps on tablet or smartphone to navigate to sites and field points and collect data.

Qualifications and Experience

• Have or pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in range management, ecology, wildlife and fisheries sciences, natural resource management, or related field.
• Experience with related field work within the target area.
• Grassland bird and plant identification skills (training also provided).
• Experience with data entry and analysis.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS and GIS technology.
• Must be comfortable with extensive day travel and regular overnight travel during monitoring season.
• Tolerant of heat, biting/stinging insects, and other common field-related conditions.
• Ability to hike long distances (up to 10 miles) on variable terrain.
• Enthusiastic learner willing to take on tasks with a positive attitude.
• Must have personal transportation for travel and valid driver’s license. Mileage will be reimbursed.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with landowners to confirm access for surveys.

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.