Seasonal Grassland Bird Technician - North Dakota

Position Summary

Audubon Dakota is a growing conservation leader in North and South Dakota, establishing creative programs to secure, conserve, and enhance habitat for a wide variety of bird species. From backyard conservation to vast prairies and prairie wetlands, Audubon Dakota is on the leading edge of advancing conservation in the Northern Great Plains. We are heavily involved with private and public stakeholders to ensure that the future is bright for birds and the community of the Northern Great Plains, because we believe that “Where birds thrive, people prosper”.

The grassland bird technician provides key data collection services to support decision making by landowners and land managers enrolled in Audubon Dakota working lands programs. The grassland bird technician will work under the supervision and guidance of Audubon Dakota’s working lands program manager to perform a variety of duties related to monitoring rangeland community conditions and avian community response to applied land management. The grassland bird technician will be responsible for primary data collection, documentation, and data entry/analysis. Other duties as assigned. Audubon Dakota’s grassland bird technician has the option of housing at the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and is responsible for completing field-based resource monitoring for both organizations.

The work is performed outdoors, possibly in rugged terrain and variable weather at remote locations. The incumbent should be capable working alone, in team environments, in all weather conditions, in remote and rugged terrain, and during early morning hours. 

Essential Functions

• Complete grassland bird and vegetation monitoring using specific established protocols on project lands enrolled in Audubon Dakota’s working lands programs: Audubon Conservation Ranching Program, Prairie Management Toolbox, and North Dakota Prescribed Fire Cooperative.
• Effectively communicate monitoring results with range ecologists and working lands program manager to inform habitat management plans and program compliance.
• Contact and communicate resource-monitoring goals with enrolled landowners.
• Utilize ArcGIS computer software to create maps, and ArcCollector on tablet to navigate to sites and field points.
• Organize collected data, lead data entry, and communicate results to range ecologists.

Qualifications and Experience

• Have or pursuing a Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in range management, ecology, wildlife and fisheries sciences, natural resource management, or related field.
• Experience with related field work within the target area.
• Possess grassland plant and bird identification skills.
• Experience with data entry and analysis.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS and GIS technology.
• Must be comfortable with extensive day travel.
• Tolerant of heat, biting/stinging insects, and other common field-related conditions.
• Ability to hike long distances (up to 10 miles) on variable terrain.
• Enthusiastic learner willing to take on tasks with a positive attitude.
• Must have personal transportation for travel. Must have valid driver’s license Mileage will be reimbursed.
• Must be able to effectively communicate with landowners to confirm access for surveys.