Lee County Anchor Steward

APPLY ONLINE AT: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/5554/lee-county-anchor-steward/job

Position Summary

Audubon Florida supports management of beach-nesting birds at many locations on the Gulf Coast and Northeast Atlantic Coast of Florida by surveying, posting, stewarding and protecting nesting areas from disturbance. To better monitor and protect the nesting shorebirds along beaches and other nest sites, Audubon is hiring a seasonal Bird Anchor Steward to work at beach-nesting bird sites within Lee County, Florida. The sites may include, but not limited to Lover’s Key State Park, Bunche Beach, and Fort Myers Beach, with assisting stewarding of barrier islands of North Captiva and Cayo Costa when transportation is available. These sites are important to the nesting of all five focal shorebirds, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, Wilson’s Plovers, Snowy Plovers, and American Oystercatchers. The primary responsibility of the Anchor Steward is to organize and train volunteers to help monitor nesting birds and to conduct public outreach around the sea/shorebird nesting areas.

This is a part-time, 20-hour per week, seasonal position focused on weekends and holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, if nesting persists through the latter. The position is expected to begin April 29th, 2024 and continue through the end of nesting season, to be determined in consultation with supervisor. Nesting may persist into late-August to mid-September but can end early in the event of a catastrophic event or other total loss of nesting activity.

This role is on-site based out of multiple locations in Lee County, Florida.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Monitor nesting birds and conduct minimum weekly counts of nests, chicks, and fledged young of each nesting species, and enter/report data to the supervisor.
• Assist site managers and Audubon staff with installing symbolic fencing around new nest areas as needed.
• Conduct public outreach at nesting beaches on weekends and holidays generally between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hours may run longer per day or change as needed, and this is anticipated on holiday weekends.
• Assist with recruiting volunteers; train and schedule volunteers to chaperone nesting birds and conduct public outreach at nesting beaches on weekends and holidays.
• Work closely with site managers and Audubon staff, external partners, and volunteers in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Coordinate with external partners, including State Parks staff and SCCF, for boating transportation to barrier islands for stewarding.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience and ability with verbal communication, including a willingness to engage with a large variety of the public.
• Experience and ability with record-keeping and summarizing data for grant-required reports.
• Ability to recruit, train, support, and schedule volunteers.
• Work well independently and with other staff and volunteers.
• A positive and diplomatic attitude.
• Demonstrated capability of physically active work on sandy beaches carrying field equipment during Florida summer field conditions and move 30 lbs. with or without accommodation.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a personal vehicle suited for transportation to complete assigned tasks.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Previous experience with monitoring and stewardship for one sea/shorebird nesting season preferred, but similar experience will be considered.
• Must be comfortable with boating and working on the water. Experience using a motorboat is preferred, but not necessary.
• Ability to adapt and problem solve in an ever-changing situation.
• Interest in conservation and passion for the mission of the National Audubon Society a must.