Assistant Sanctuary Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION:  Audubon's Seabird Institute manages seven island research stations off the coast of Maine that are part of Audubon’s Maine Coastal Islands Sanctuaries.  These include restoration sites for 23 species of seabirds and waterbirds, including Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Arctic, Common, Least, and Roseate Terns, Laughing Gulls, Common Eiders, Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Manx Shearwaters, and wading birds. Each island research station is staffed seasonally with an Island Supervisor and up to five Research Assistants, interns, and volunteers, based on island size, seabird colony composition and workload. Work conducted on the islands includes, but is not limited to: monitoring seabird productivity and growth, conducting seabird diet studies, banding and resighting birds, conducting censuses, removing invasive vegetation, and conducting predator management.

The Assistant Sanctuary Manager will aid the Sanctuary Management Team with facilitation of the field program at seven island research stations. Duties include, but are not limited to, preparation of field sites and equipment prior to the start of the field season; setting up seasonal camps; supporting logistics throughout the field season by purchasing and transporting supplies and equipment; training field crews; orienting and transporting volunteers; participating in seabird censuses and monitoring; conducting predator management; removing marine debris from field sites; conducting vegetation control and habitat management; maintaining island facilities; supporting annual closing of the field camps; and cleaning and maintaining boats and other field equipment. Extended visits to remote field camps may be a routine part of the position.

Primitive camping (sleeping in tents) and working on offshore islands are required, although work will include both mainland duties and island duties. The work week may stretch across seven days, as weather dictates. Weekend work may be required and days can be long. Research camp facilities include composting toilets, limited solar electricity and no running water. Food is provided.  When not at a field station, shared mainland housing is provided.  Position runs from approximately April 1 through September 30, 2024, exact dates negotiable.

COMPENSATION: $700-800/wk, depending on experience, with food and housing provided.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, or a related field with several years of experience in similar field research programs; 
• Ability to work closely with program staff, cooperators, and volunteers; strong communication skills;
• Experience supervising field crews; preference for experience managing a seabird field program;
• Experience with rowing and safely operating motorboats 12-23 ft. in length, and driving a vehicle with boat trailer in tow;
• Valid state driver’s license;
• Field experience with seabirds and seabird management in remote environments;
• Bird banding and trapping experience;
• Wilderness or primitive camping experience;
• Dedication to wildlife conservation, a sense of humor, and a passion for seabirds and isolated islands; 
• Experience with predator control (including avian and mammalian control programs); hunting experience desirable;
• Experience with: spotting scopes, bird banding and trapping equipment (mist nets, etc.), outboard engine care/basic maintenance, inflatable boat repair, boat safety equipment, camping equipment (e.g. tents, composting toilets, etc), solar power systems, basic hand tools (e.g. hammer, drill driver, etc), PC operation (MS Word, Excel and Access programs), communication equipment (cell phones, VHF radios);
• Ability to sit in observation blinds in the seabird colonies for 3-hour periods
• Ability to land on offshore islands on irregular terrain; lift and carry loads up to 50 lbs., hauling water jugs and field equipment; comfortable hiking on irregular terrain and over slippery rocks.

TO APPLY:  submit resume and cover letter for the Assistant Sanctuary Manager position on Audubon's careers website at: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/5666/assistant-sanctuary-manager/job.  If you have difficulties applying on the website, email application to Paula Shannon at pshannon@audubon.org.