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 Beach Anchor Steward to work within Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area. The primary responsibility of the Anchor Steward is to organize volunteers in order to help monitor nesting birds and to conduct public outreach around the shore/seabird nesting areas.
This is a part-time, 20 hour per week seasonal position focused on weekend days and holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, if nesting persists until the latter holiday. The position will begin March 26, 2018 and continue through the end of nesting season. Nesting may persist into August or early September but can end early in the event of a catastrophic event or other total loss of nesting activity.
Under the direction of Audubon’s Collier Shorebird Stewardship Program Manager, the Collier 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 in the Florida Shorebird Database as directed by the Collier Shorebird Stewardship Program Manager.
- Assist Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area 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 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 Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area staff, external partners, and volunteers in a positive and professional manner at all times.
- Experience operating small motorboats in a marine environment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to recruit volunteers from beach visitors, train, support and schedule volunteers.
- Must work well independently and with other staff and volunteers.
- A positive and diplomatic attitude is a must.
- Capable of of physically active work walking on sandy beaches carrying field equipment during Florida summer field conditions. Ability to lift 30 lbs
- 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 Collier county beaches preferred.
- Previous experience with monitoring and stewardship for one shore/seabird nesting season strongly preferred, but similar experience will be considered.
- Interest in conservation and passion for the mission of the National Audubon Society a must.