The Bird Conservation Coordinator (BCC) will play an integral role in Audubon Connecticut’s (ACT) conservation efforts. Under the supervision of the Bird Conservation Program Manager, the BCC will oversee day to day operations at Stratford Point, work on furthering the Important Bird Area (IBA) Program, serve as second in command of the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds, and provide technical assistance to the New Haven Harbor WildLife Refuge Partnership. The BCC will assist with IBA Technical Committee and Science Committee meetings (each once a year), the Long Island Sound “proof of concept” Initiative, fundraising, and external relations for ACT in areas of expertise. While the official position location is the Bent of the River Audubon Center in Southbury, the BCC will spend the majority of their time at Stratford Point, located at 1207 Prospect Drive, in Stratford, CT.
Reporting to the Bird Conservation Program Manager and working in partnership with other ACT and Flyway staff, the coordinator will play a crucial role in implementing projects that achieve AFL goals for Connecticut related to the programs described above.
Coastal bird Conservation
- Assist with all facets of the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds including:
- Shorebird monitoring
- The Audubon WildLife Guards Program
- Grant writing, administration, and reporting
- Using social media to encourage the public to share the shore and promote the Alliance
- Work with BCPM, ANY, and National Audubon staff on Long Island Sound Proof of Concept Initiative
- Participate in Long Island Sound Citizen’s Advisory Committee
- Team member of the Atlantic Flyway Coasts Program
Stratford Point
- Oversee day to day operations at Stratford Point. This includes:
- Working with contractor on DEEP Conservation Easement report as per contract with Dupont
- Ensuring limited public access to the site and passive engagement of visitors during open hours
- Working effectively with other organizational partners active at the site and assist with any other site based projects that Audubon is responsible for
- Promoting our work including with partners at Stratford Point via social media and occasional events in line with ACT priorities
Important Bird Area Program
- Oversee IBA Small Matching Grant program. This includes writing up and distributing RFP, reviewing proposals and communication with potential grantees, and assisting Operations Manager with grant agreements.
- In partnership with the BCPM:
- Provide technical assistance, advice, and assistance with outreach to stakeholders working at CT’s 40+ publically recognized IBAs
- Increase awareness about the IBA program through walks, talks, articles, press releases, and social media
- Participate in Friends of the Silvio O. Conte NFWR meetings and assist with annual IBA Technical Committee meeting.
New Haven Harbor Watershed Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership
- Participate in both partners and Advisory Council meetings and work with the Advisory Council in the selection of new Urban Oases. Review planting plans for new and expanding Urban Oases.
- Promote the Urban Oases Site Selection Tool to communities in the NWR Partnership.
- Provide technical assistance with field work (bird, invertebrate, and vegetation surveys) taking place at two intensively studied Urban Oases and analyze/write up results.
Additional Duties
- Assist with GIS related projects.
- Provide peer to peer advice/assistance to ACT senior staff with Eastern Forests, Bird Friendly Communities, Chapters work and such other duties as may be assigned.
- Assist with fundraising including engaging donors and foundations and writing, administrating, and reporting of grants.
- Assist with external relations in areas of expertise and promotion of ACT programs via social media (Facebook, website, Instagram, etc)
- Work with BCPM, Operations Manager, and National staff as needed on administration of budget, contracts, grant agreements, and annual conservation design template.
- 3+ years of experience in natural resource management, biology, or related environmental or conservation work.
- Extensive knowledge of East coast bird species, particularly shorebirds (preferred), and their habitats, and familiarity with east coast native and invasive plants. Experience with removal of invasive plants, planting of natives a plus.
- Experience conducing bird surveys (ex. International Shorebird Surveys, point counts, territory mapping, line transect, etc) and statistical analysis of results. Experience modeling bird species presence and abundance and determining predictive factors preferred.
- Familiarity or willingness to quickly learn about conservation and policy issues in CT such as hypoxia in Long Island Sound, fragmentation and lack of forest age diversity, lack of access for people from underserved communities to open space, etc.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team. Ability to engage and motivate volunteers. A positive attitude and a good sense of humor appreciated.
- A gifted communicator able to share both technical and complex information, orally and in writing, with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Familiarization with Microsoft Office programs and ArcGIS software.
- Understanding and experience using Facebook, Instagram, and other social media outlets to promote events, programs, organizations.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Ability and willingness to travel locally and occasionally out of state and be able to work evenings and weekend as required.
- Ability to work outdoors, in all weather conditions and on varying terrain; must be able to carry field equipment at times.