Job
Title: Seasonal Shorebird
Monitor/Invasive Species Field Assistant (6
months)
Job
Description:The
Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Inc. (www.nantucketconservation.org),
Department of Science and
Stewardship is seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, self-reliant, independent
field
assistant. For the first 4 months, the field assistant will work independently
and focus intensively on monitoring and protecting rare beach-nesting
shorebirds. For the last 2 months, the field assistant will work as part of a
team, participating in invasive species monitoring and management and various
field work tasks. Previous shorebird
monitoring and nest searching experience is required for this position.
Shorebird Monitoring Responsibilities:
1. Locating nests, monitoring populations and documenting nest success
of shorebirds including American Oystercatchers, Least and Common Terns and
Piping Plovers at multiple locations on Nantucket;
2. Accurately recording sightings of color-banded birds, locating and
monitoring nests and unfledged chicks to determine breeding success, and
documenting causes of nest failure where possible;
3. Protecting populations of shorebirds through placement of fencing
and educational signs and public education in the field;
4. Resighting banded American Oystercatchers and maintaining of online
report databases;
5. Recording occurrences of non-breeding shorebirds that utilize
nesting beaches as feeding and resting areas during migration;
6. Participating in local and regional shorebird monitoring meetings
throughout the season;
7. Collecting detailed field notes, data entry, quality control, and
proof-reading;
Additional Field Assistant
Responsibilities:
1. Inventory, monitoring, and management of invasive plant species
including hand digging and pulling and assisting a certified herbicide
applicator in invasive species management by cutting stems, bagging and hauling
away treated material;
2. Assisting in seed collection of native species for propagation;
3. Outplanting native species for habitat and property restoration
projects;
4. Monitoring and tagging horseshoe crab populations;
5. Monitoring plant communities related to various research projects;
6. Assisting in field work on other projects as time and resources
allow;
Required
Qualifications:B.S. or B.A. in Ecology, Zoology, Natural Resource Management,
Wildlife Biology,
or a related biological/ecological field. Candidate
must have at least one season of field experience monitoring shorebird
populations. Strong observational, critical thinking and organizational skills
are essential, as is the ability keep accurate and up to date field notes.
Experience using GPS units in the field.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. A valid driver’s
license is required.
Physical Demands
and Work Environment: This is a field intensive position and applicants
must be able to tolerate adverse field conditions. Field work includes the
possibility for inclement weather and variable terrain, potential exposure to
herbicides,
poisonous ivy and biting insects such as mosquitoes, greenhead flies and deer
ticks. Nantucket is an area with a high abundance of tick borne disease
although we do take many precautions. The work involves hiking extensive
distances
over sand while hauling/installing fencing and signs and standing, bending and
kneeling on a routine basis.
Desired Qualifications: Preference will be give to
applications with previous experience working with American oystercatchers,
piping plovers and/or least terns. Experience
driving on sand is useful. An interest in plant ID or botany experience is
desired as well as an experience with or interest in invasive species management
and willingness to assist a certified herbicide applicator through stem cutting
and hauling away of cut materials.
Dates/Hours:This is a full-time, temporary position
beginning in mid-April and ending in mid-October; exact ending date can be
flexible. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, averaging eight hours per
day, although shorebird monitoring will be required on holidays and some
weekends (particularly Memorial Day and July 4th). Work schedule may also vary
depending on
weather, tides, etc.
Wages/Benefits:Housing and work-related
transportation is provided. Wage is commensurate with experience. Medical and
unemployment insurance and paid sick days are not available to seasonal
employees. Transportation is not provided after working hours.
Location: The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is
located on Nantucket Island, MA ~ 33 miles south of Cape Cod. Nantucket is
dominated by sandplain
grasslands, coastal healthlands, and scrub oak shrublands (all rare habitats in
the Northeast) as well as coastal plain ponds and tidal marshes. For more
information on our mission and research projects, please see the Foundation’s
website (www.nantucketconservation.org).
Application:
Application deadline is Friday January 17,
2014 by 5pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling
basis.
For a
complete application, please submit ONE
DOCUMENT which includes a cover letter, resume and contact information for
three professional references and a copy of your college transcripts (an
unofficial copy is acceptable).
All
applications must be submitted online at:
http://www.smartrecruiters.com/NantucketConservationFoundation
1) Select the job you are interested in
2) On the application page, Click the I'm Interested button.
3) On the popup window - click Apply with Resume
4) When prompted to upload your Resume - please upload ONE DOCUMENT with
a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references
and a copy of your college transcripts (an unofficial
copy is acceptable!).
For more
information, contact Dr. Jennifer Karberg: [email protected]
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is an equal
opportunity employer
