Seabird Ecologist

Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge is seeking a field ecologist who is passionate about seabird conservation and community to work with our project at Año Nuevo Island, on the central California coast. Deadline to apply: 12/31/2021.

Agency: Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge is a non-profit organization with the mission of studying and protecting imperiled ecosystems by engaging diverse communities through innovative scientific and artistic collaborations.

Location: Field work at Año Nuevo Island/Santa Cruz, CA and office work at Santa Cruz, CA.

Description: We are seeking a field ecologist who is passionate about seabird conservation and community to work with our project at Año Nuevo Island, on the central California coast (http://oikonos.org/ano-nuevoisland). This Ecologist position would co-lead fieldwork and student mentoring, and lead day-to-day coordination of the project.

Job Responsibilities:

Co-lead weekly 1-2 day field trips to Año Nuevo Island – duties include:

Collecting standardized and rigorous data contributing to a 30-year time series on seabird breeding and diet metrics from March – August

Restoring seabird habitat from September – November

Training and working with seasonal staff and early career ecologists

Banding and measuring seabirds

Capturing seabirds with mist nets

Field station maintenance and upkeep

Project administration (WFH or at Oikonos office in Santa Cruz):

Data management including entering, proofing, and managing databases

Co-managing and supporting early career ecologists outside of time in the field

Summarizing data and report writing

Supporting fundraising efforts and grant writing

Preparing for field operations

Budget management

Assisting with social media and relevant organization administration

Creating outreach materials

Who you are (the basics):

Passionate about seabird conservation

A strong leader with excellent collaborative, communication, and mentoring skills

Well organized and able to calmly juggle and achieve multiple responsibilities

Sustain a strong culture of health, safety, and inclusion in the project

Experienced handling birds

Experienced with collection of clear, legible, and rigorous biological data in a field setting

Able to lift up to 50lbs

Comfortable working long days and nights outdoors in challenging field conditions

Comfortable in small zodiacs and confident ability to swim

Able to work in groups and independently

Competent with Microsoft Office programs

Bachelor’s degree (preferably in biological sciences or related field)

Able to legally work in the United States

On the job, candidates will be expected to become proficient at data analysis and report writing; and driving small boats in challenging ocean conditions

For the safety of our team (which conducts fieldwork in-person), we require all employees to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 infections.

Who you are (bonus points):

Experienced mentoring students or early career individuals, and creating inclusive educational experiences to support students from diverse backgrounds

Skills in critical thinking; and flexible, adaptive, and wise judgment in decision-making and problem solving

Ability to identify problems and to develop and implement effective solutions

Experienced with driving small boats and basic outboard motor maintenance

Experienced working around marine mammals and seabirds

In possession of a good sense of humor

Reside locally

First aid certified

Experience working in R and GIS

Proficient Spanish speaker to effectively communicate with our Oikonos team in Chile

Interested in working on the project for multiple years, with room to grow into larger leadership
positions

M.S. degree or equivalent (preferably in biological sciences or related field)

Application Requirements:

Cover letter – briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position

C.V. – most recently updated, including a list of two professional references and their contact information. Oikonos will contact the references of applicants under serious consideration.

Application packet should be emailed to Jessie Beck (jessie@oikonos.org), with “Año Nuevo Ecologist Application” included in the email subject. The application period ends Dec. 31, 2021.

To read the full job description and for more information, click here.