Audubon’s Women in Conservation program provides career opportunities for young women in the environmental field. Each spring and summer, we offer seasonal positions for young women to advance our conservation work and further develop their skills and knowledge in the field of wildlife conservation.
These positions provide an array of different professional experiences in conservation, including:
- Field research
- Habitat stewardship
- Education and outreach
- Communication
We are currently hiring one Women in Conservation (WIC) Technician to work with our Connecticut Coast program for the 2019 field season (early April – mid August). The WIC technician will work closely with other Audubon staff and Audubon Alliance partners to reduce threats to priority coastal birds like the Piping Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Least Tern. This position will focus on implementing beach stewardship programs (monitoring beach-nesting birds and assisting with American Oystercatcher banding program), public outreach, and community engagement (assisting with WildLife Guards Program).
These positions also provide the opportunity to further develop leadership and communications skills. Communications work may include contributing photos and videos for reports and social media posts; writing an article for an Audubon newsletter; and performing outreach activities on the beach with the Audubon WildLife Guards. The technicians will have the opportunity to shadow other Audubon staff in Connecticut and New York. Also, the technicians will have the opportunity to connect with other conservationists and program supporters at the annual Women in Conservation Luncheon in May.
The candidates chosen for these positions will be expected to work 5 days a week (usually 35 hours). Weekend and holiday work will be required, especially in June and July. The technicians will be required to use their personal vehicle to access field sites that are located across the coast of Connecticut. Travel to field sites will be partially reimbursed. Housing is not provided.
- Assist with beach-nesting bird stewardship, including installing and maintain fencing and signage around nesting areas
- Assist with American Oystercatcher banding program (training will be provided)
- Conduct “Be a Good Egg” outreach and beach-goer education about coastal birds and their conservation needs
- Coordinate with other staff and partners
- Use binoculars and/or a spotting scope to locate, identify, and count Piping Plovers, Least Terns, American Oystercatchers, and migrating shorebirds
- Record and enter data into Excel, online forms, and eBird as needed
- Post photos, updates from the field, and volunteer opportunities on social media
- Assist with writing end-of-season reports
- Strong communications skills and an interest in engaging and communicating with a diverse public audience
- A strong work ethic with comfort working in an independent environment
- 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 (t fence posts, hammers), and drive to beaches from the eastern to western end of the Connecticut coastline
- Willingness to work on busy beach days, holiday weekends, and some evenings
- Prior shorebird and/or field experience is not required but must demonstrate a willingness to learn about beach-nesting bird biology and conservation
- experience operating a motor boat in coastal waters a plus