Coastal Biologist

The Coastal Biologist is responsible for conducting and supporting coastal bird surveys and stewardship in Mobile County. This position is an exempt, full-time, regular position and reports to the Science & Conservation Director.

About Alabama Audubon

Alabama Audubon is a staffed chapter of the National Audubon Society with an active membership. It is the state’s leading nonprofit promoting conservation and a greater knowledge of birds, their habitats, and the natural world. As the primary Audubon chapter for most of Alabama, it provides a variety of services to the state’s birds and bird lovers, including field trips, adult courses, support for researchers and educators, scientific research, habitat restoration, and coastal bird stewardship and monitoring.

Essential functions of the Coastal Biologist:

• Conducting Audubon Coastal Bird Surveys, including supporting volunteers

• Conducting solitary- and colonial-nesting bird surveys, monitoring nest sites, and installing symbolic fencing to protect bird habitat

• Recording data on behavior of and disturbance to nesting birds

• Ensuring precise and accurate data collection, and accurately reporting those data via eBird and internal databases

• Engaging the public through outreach and educational events

• Contributing to interim and final summaries and reports

• Providing technical assistance to other staff members, volunteers, and interns

• Tracking, inventorying, maintaining, and caring for all project equipment and vehicles

• Performing other coastal scientific and conservation tasks as appropriate, and as assigned by the Science & Conservation Director

Basic Qualifications:

• Understanding of and passion for the mission of Alabama Audubon

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in biology, ornithology, ecology, or a related discipline (although extensive experience conducting field work and data collection on coastal birds and excellent bird identification skills may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree).

• Field experience with demonstrated success in bird monitoring

• Working knowledge of North American coastal-bird biology, phenology, and diversity, as well as the ability to readily identify both common and rare Gulf Coast waterbirds

• Experience with and a working knowledge of eBird and advanced birding equipment

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• A strong team ethic

• Flexible schedule, with a willingness to work long hours outside in harsh field conditions (sometimes alone) and early mornings, evenings and weekends, and to travel as necessary.

Physical requirements:

Include lifting, reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, sitting, typing, driving, speaking, and holding and supporting field equipment. Must be able to speak for extended periods of time. Must be able to work outdoors in variable weather conditions and on uneven terrain.

It is the policy of Alabama Audubon that all persons are entitled to equality of opportunity in all areas of employment regardless of race, sex, disability, age, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

To apply, email a cover letter and resume (in PDF format) to Lianne Koczur, Alabama Audubon Science & Conservation Director, at lianne@alaudubon.org, with the subject line: Coastal Biologist Search. References may be required upon request.