Seasonal Shorebird Stewardship and Monitoring Technician

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet.

Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary :

The Seasonal Shorebird Stewardship and Monitoring Technician will be an integral team member for Audubon South Carolina’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program . Audubon South Carolina’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program, alongside key partners, trains and organizes hundreds of volunteers each year at 13 important sites throughout the SC coast, with the goal of reducing human disturbance to nesting, migrating, and overwintering shorebirds and seabirds, such as the Wilson’s Plover, American Oystercatcher, and Least Tern.

The Seasonal Shorebird Stewardship and Monitoring Technician will assist the Coastal Stewardship Coordinator and Coastal Program Manager with critical shorebird and seabird conservation activities, such as stewardship, public education, and monitoring. This is a full-time seasonal position (40 hours per week) lasting from March 1 to August 27. A typical work week will be Tuesday to Saturday, with some holidays (Memorial Day and Independence Day) required.

This position is classified as hybrid, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Candidates should be located within commuting distance of Audubon's Office in Charleston, SC.

Essential Functions:

Assist Coastal Stewardship Coordinator with hosting in-person stewardship training events for volunteers

Conduct shorebird stewardship activities at key breeding and migration sites, including educating beachgoers in a polite, approachable manner and collecting data on type and frequency of human disturbances

• Distribute educational and promotional materials to beach-goers
• Distribute new stewardship materials such as signs, vests, and educational handouts to volunteers at stewardship sites
• Conduct shorebird surveys to get accurate bird counts at key breeding and migration sites using binoculars and a spotting scope, following established protocols

Assist Coastal Stewardship Coordinator and Coastal Program Manager with shorebird nest monitoring at a key breeding site to measure reproductive success and assess causes of nest failure

• Assist Coastal Stewardship Coordinator with hosting educational bird walks for shorebird stewards
• Assist Coastal Stewardship Coordinator with educational tabling events, promoting “Share the Shore” messaging
• Assist partners with installing or taking down protective shorebird fencing as needed
• Maintain field equipment and keep supplies organized
• Create social media posts and blog posts to promote “Share the Shore” messaging
• Take and organize site photos
• Enter data into Excel and Ebird databases as needed
• Participate in other coastal projects as needed, such as salt marsh bird and vegetation monitoring
• Maintain and foster a culture of safety

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must have completed or are pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a related field, or have equivalent knowledge and experience
• Ability to use optics, such as binoculars or spotting scopes, required
• At least one season of work experience in avian ecology, nest monitoring, or coastal ecosystems is preferred
• Excellent interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills, with experience giving educational talks or guided bird walks, preferred
• Must be willing to work long hours outside under physically demanding conditions (hot, humid, biting insects)
• Applicants must be able to traverse long distances (up to 5 miles), carry heavy equipment (tents, tables, post pounders, fence posts), and drive to coastal stewardship sites spanning from Hunting Beach State Park to Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina, with or without accommodation
• Must be comfortable interacting with the public and staff of multiple partner organizations
• Must be comfortable riding on a boat and paddling in a kayak
• Must be willing and able to work both independently and as a team member
• A valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle are required for travel
• Must have strong organizational skills and great attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required; proficiency in social media platforms preferred
• Experience identifying and counting large groups of coastal birds in eastern North America preferred
• Flexibility in schedule that accommodates weather conditions required, such as early hours to avoid summer heat and thunderstorms
• Ability to work a Tuesday-Saturday average work week with occasional holidays required
• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environment is valued
• EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

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