This summer, Audubon Connecticut will be participating in the Atlantic Flyway Disturbance Project (AFDP) funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement standardized guidelines and metrics for assessing the impacts of disturbance on shorebirds and utilize the resulting data in the design of effective social marketing campaign(s) for changing human behavior causing detrimental disturbance.
As part of this project, the Coastal Waterbird Technician will assess the types and frequency of human disturbance, the response of shorebirds (Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and possible Red Knot), and effectiveness of various techniques used to control disturbance at sites across CT. The Technician will also aid Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection and US Fish and Wildlife Service efforts to inventory, monitor, and steward coastal waterbirds in Connecticut.
This is a great opportunity to work with several species of shorebirds and waterbirds in a unique estuarine ecosystem. The Coastal Waterbird Technician is a seasonal, full-time position with a 35 hours per week schedule, and is slated for March 15th go through October 31st. Pay is $13/hr.
The Technician will assist conservation scientists with monitoring, research, and management activities for nesting and migratory shorebirds on the coast of Connecticut. Stewardship, inventory and monitoring activities include:
- Implement Atlantic Flyway Disturbance Project at 40 points located at five sites along the CT shoreline. Each site will be visited approximately once a week from March 1st – April 15th. It will take about 10 min. to complete the survey at each point.
- Ensure that AFDP data gets entered into the master datasheet and submitted to the Virginia Tech Shorebird Program for analysis.
- As time permits:
- Work with DEEP, USFWS and other Audubon field staff in posting and patrolling bird colonies on beaches and offshore islands
- Assist DEEP and USFWS staff in stewardship activities of Piping Plovers (exclosing nests) as needed
- Monitor beach and island nesting birds for productivity and entering data into online spreadsheet
- Educate island and beach visitors about beach nesting and migrant birds
- Assist with end of the season reports
- Provide content (pictures and brief descriptions) for Audubon Connecticut social media
- Additional duties may be assigned
- Experience with waterbird and shorebird identification and/or monitoring for the US east coast
- Ability to work independently in the field
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software; experience with GPS units
- Experience and ability to communicate clearly via written, spoken and graphical means
- Must have valid driver's license and safe driving record (the Coastal Waterbird Technician will be reimburse for travel between sites) and undergo criminal background check as per Audubon’s policy
- Flexible approach to work, as some weekend and holiday work will be required.
- Interest in conservation and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.