Atlantic Flyway Conservation Delivery Specialist

Job type: Full-time (35 hours/week); 4-year limited term

Job title: Atlantic Flyway Council Conservation Delivery Specialist

Job administrator: The Wildlife Management Institute

Supervisor: Atlantic Flyway Nongame Migratory Bird Technical Section Chair

Location: Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge, Laurel, MD; eligible for ad hoc telework.

Salary: $80,892/year.

Introduction:

The Atlantic Flyway Council (Council) is a coalition of 17 states, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and six Canadian provinces and one territory that works with the respective federal governments to manage migratory birds and their habitats in eastern North America. Council states, cooperating with various federal agencies and non-governmental partners, deliver many conservation programs for migratory birds in a significant portion of the eastern seaboard of North America.

Council is advised by two Technical Sections. The Nongame Migratory Bird Technical Section (NMBTS) is charged with supporting policy and conservation actions pertaining to waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors, and landbirds, and will administer this position.

Duties:

Over a 4-year limited term, the Conservation Delivery Specialist (CDS) will coordinate implementation of multi-state projects identified by Council and/or by the Waterbird, Shorebird, Raptor, and Landbird committees of the NMBTS. Specifically, the CDS will:

• Work with the Atlantic Flyway Colonial Waterbird (CWB) Survey Planning Team to finalize the planning and coordination of the first Atlantic Flyway CWB breeding survey, and oversee its implementation. The CDS will assist the Team with finalizing the Atlantic CWB database structure in the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN), and help to guide development of data visualization and analytical tools. The CDS will also ensure that all participating states and provinces enter their coordinated CWB survey data into the AKN Atlantic CWB database.
• Implement action items to address capacity gaps pertaining to bird-building collision mortality. Tasks will include: (1) development of a webinar to present the findings and recommendations of a recent Flyway Bird Collision Mortality Report to Council members and partners, as well as provide recent updates on work pertaining to this threat; (2) compile and provide resources to state agencies and partners to assist in development of policy or regulatory actions related to bird-building collision mortality; (3) coordinating agency and partner support for federal legislation; (4) coordinating with partners to identify outreach gaps and needs; and (5) working with relevant groups to better integrate building collisions into threat classification tools.
• As time permits, assist with multi-state projects identified as high priorities by NMBTS committees, including: (1) facilitating coordinated flyway-wide monitoring of aerial insectivores; (2) refine current best practices for shorebird predation management to create more specific guidance for states and provinces; (3) compiling research and information regarding impacts of renewable energy development on raptors; (4) facilitating inter-agency coordination of research and outreach efforts on the assessment of rodenticide and lead impacts to raptor health, productivity, and population declines; and (5) additional tasks identified by NMBTS.
• Travel to at least two, week-long Council meetings per year will be required. Occasional travel opportunities may be available to attend meetings or trainings, or engage in fieldwork.

Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or other natural resources field or equivalent, as well as one year of professional work experience. A Master’s degree and two years of professional experience, or a Ph.D. is preferred.

Skills and abilities:

• Ability to work independently and exhibit initiative.
• Ability to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with partners including agencies, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Superior organizational skills.
• Thorough knowledge of biological statistics, scientific principles, sampling techniques, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, computerized data analyses, and statistical software tools.
• Proficient at computer operation, database management, and networking platforms.
• Excellent technical writing skills, including grant and report writing, as well as budget management.

Location and schedule of work:

This position will be housed at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Program Office at the Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge in Laurel, MD. The position will be granted broad discretion in terms of setting days and hours of work, within the constraints of a 35-hour work week. Ad hoc telework will be permissible, in consultation with the supervisor.

Job duration:

Four years, beginning in 2023, on the start date of the position.

Compensation:

Annual salary of $80,892, which includes 401k contribution and $10,000 annual health insurance stipend.

To apply:

Cover letter and resume should be sent to Richard.S.Bailey@wv.gov.

Application deadline: Friday, September 8th, 2023.