Avian Monitoring Technician

A LITTLE ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.orq or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Avian Monitoring Technician performs a variety of routine tasks that assists the implementation of bird-friendly agriculture objectives within the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

We will hire 2 technicians for this job, with staggered start dates:

mid-November – mid-April
 

Two of the three technicians will be separately housed in TNC – owned field houses at Cosumnes River Preserve or Staten Island Farm and one technician will be expected to provide their own housing that is within reason (maximum 30-40 miles) from the Cosumnes River Preserve. Measures will be taken to mitigate risk of transmitting/spreading COVID 19. These measures will be openly discussed during the hiring process to ensure as safe of a work environment as possible for the technicians.

Approximate hourly rate: $17.50/hr – $18.00/hr

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In order to meet its long-term objective to have 1,000,000 acres of bird-friendly agriculture supported in California, the Migratory Bird Initiative is increasing its efforts to implement new projects that demonstrate compatible agricultural practices. Many of these innovations for compatible agricultural techniques are yet untested, and the Avian Monitoring Technician will assist in quantifying the biological value of these techniques on Staten Island, CA and on other private land throughout the Central Valley. Specific duties may include the following functions:

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

·        Set up fields for monitoring. Includes wading into flooded areas and pounding in depth stakes

·        Conduct visual surveys of birds, focusing on western waterbirds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and long-legged waders.

·        Conduct visual surveys of pertinent habitat features at survey sites.

·        Communicate with rural landowners and/or farm managers.

·        Possible invertebrate and grain sampling in working lands.

·        Complete, accurate, and clear record-keeping of field survey observations.

·        Possible overnight travel to other field sites in California.

·        Possible assistance with preserve management tasks.

·        Maintain project records.              

·        May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

·        Require starting some workdays before sunrise

·        Require minor physical exertion and/or muscular strain

·        Present occasional possibility of injury

·        Expose one to adverse weather conditions (both hot and cold)

·        Require long hours in isolated settings

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·        Associates Degree in natural resources; environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months’ experience.     

·        Experience identifying western waterbirds (including small difficult to distinguish shorebirds) to species by sight in the field.                      

·        Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources.

·        Independent completion of tasks within assigned timeframes.

·        Clear communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.

·        Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

·        Possession of a driver’s license valid in California.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

·       Expertise in identifying western waterbirds (including small difficult to distinguish shorebirds) by sound.

·         Experience conducting avian surveys with binoculars and spotting scopes (skill in counting birds in large flocks).

·         Experience interacting with rural landowners.

·       Experience using software, particularly Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS

·       Experience driving 4x4 vehicles off-road.

·       Time management skills.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit applications here (JOB #50008):

https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/APPL/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=50008&PostingSeq=1