We are currently hiring two Shorebird Field Technicians to work with our New York Coast program on Long Island, NY for the 2019 field season (early April – mid August). The field technicians will work closely with other Audubon staff to reduce threats to priority coastal birds like the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Least Tern. These positions focus on conducting beach-nesting bird productivity surveys, stewarding nesting areas, surveying migrating shorebirds, and assessing the impact of human disturbance on shorebirds.
Work may include, but is not limited to: locating and monitoring Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Least Tern nests and chicks to determine reproductive success; putting up and maintaining string fencing and signage around nesting areas; installing predator exclosures around Piping Plover nests; closely coordinating field work and schedules with partners and volunteers; interacting with beach-goers regarding coastal birds; documenting and reporting human disturbance and other issues to land managers and law enforcement officials; conducting point counts of migratory shorebirds; collecting human disturbance data for a region-wide shorebird disturbance study; entering and managing survey data; and, assisting with outreach and volunteer events.
The technicians will be required to walk long distances (up to 7 miles) on sandy and rocky beaches, carry and use equipment (i.e. binoculars, post pounders, fence posts), work independently without supervision, and talk to beach-goers about beach-nesting bird conservation. The candidates chosen for these positions will be expected to work 5 days per week (usually 40 hours). Some weekend and holiday work will be required. The technicians will be required to use their personal vehicle to access field sites that are located across Long Island. Travel will be reimbursed. Housing is not provided.
- Use binoculars and/or a spotting scope to locate, identify, and count Piping Plovers, Least Terns, American Oystercatchers, and migrating shorebirds
- Monitor breeding beach-nesting birds and track reproductive success
- Steward bird nesting areas, set up and maintain protective fencing and signage, and help install predator exclosures around Piping Plover nests
- Conduct point counts of migratory shorebirds
- Conduct focal behavior surveys of shorebirds and record human disturbance
- Carefully and neatly record data on specified data sheets and enter data into Excel and eBird as needed
- Coordinate and work with volunteers, partners, and other staff
- Talk to beach-goers about beach-nesting birds
- Prior field experience is required and experience with shorebirds is preferred
- Strong work ethic with comfort working in an independent environment
- Strong attention to detail
- Willingness to work outdoors for long periods of time in adverse conditions (i.e. hot, humid)
- Ability to walk long distances (up to 7 miles), transport and carry heavy equipment (tents, tables, post pounders, fence posts), and drive to beaches in eastern and western Long Island, NY
- Experience with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel