Audubon Florida supports management of beach-nesting birds at many locations in Northeast 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 at the beaches of Nassau Sound including Amelia Island and Little Talbot Island. The primary responsibilities of the Anchor Steward are to conduct public outreach around the shore/seabird nesting areas and to organize volunteer stewards to help these efforts.
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 April 9, 2019 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 Northeast Florida Policy Associate, the Nassau Sound Anchor Steward will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Assist with the installation of 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 local land managers, external partners, and volunteers in a positive and professional manner at all times;
- 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 Northeast Florida Policy Associate.
- Experience and ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing;
- Ability to recruit, train, support, and schedule volunteers;
- Work well independently and with other staff and volunteers;
- A positive and diplomatic attitude is a must;
- Demonstrated capability 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 local 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.