Seasonal Willet Technician

Who We Are:
 

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube or on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

What We Can Achieve Together:

The 2024 Willet Technician assists conservation scientists with population monitoring, banding and GPS tagging of breeding eastern willet within the barrier islands and marshes of the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve. The Willet Technician will work closely with the VVCR’s Coastal Science staff to implement all aspects of a project focused on surveying, banding and GPS tagging breeding eastern willet at VVCR. Specific activities will include conducting breeding pair surveys, trapping and banding/tagging breeding adults and monitoring tagged individuals. The Technician will also assist as needed with other monitoring, research and stewardship activities such as piping plover, American oystercatcher, tern and skimmer surveys, shorebird productivity monitoring, posting and patrolling bird nesting areas, and education and outreach for island visitors. The position requires one to keep organized, detailed daily field notes, operate a boat to be used for access to the barrier islands, and perform daily maintenance on boats. Additional duties may be assigned.

We’re Looking for You: 

By joining the VVCR team, you will become part of a cutting edge Landscape Program that has worked to protect a unique coastal landscape using a science-based, partnership approach to management and conservation for over 50 years. The VVCR is one of the last expanses of coastal wilderness on the U.S. East Coast and encompasses over 40,000 acres of natural landscape throughout the Eastern Shore of Virginia, including 14 barrier and marsh islands. VVCR’s Migratory Bird Program aims to protect and manage the bird populations that depend on these coastal habitats. The impact of our work reaches beyond this region as well, as we work with partners from across the Western Hemisphere to advance our conservation initiatives. The importance of the region to migratory birds is recognized through a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network designation and Audubon Important Bird Area Global status. We’re looking for a passionate, motivated problem-solver to join our Migratory Bird Team for the 2024 season. Creativity, flexibility, willingness to work on a fast-paced, dynamic schedule and a great attitude are key to this role.

You can expect the following roles and responsibilities when you join our team:

·         Work under close supervision and receive specific and detailed instructions for required tasks, but also operate independently and              exercise good judgement in varied field conditions.

·         Supervise volunteers on occasion.

·         Work and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people, including preserve volunteers, preserve visitors, and others.

·         Walk 3-8 miles each day in heat and humidity along remote barrier islands.

·         Work from and on a boat; work in remote locations, sometimes during adverse conditions such as heat, humidity, extended                            exposure to sun and biting insects.

·         Work weekends and holidays on occasion and as scheduled ahead of time.

·         Work a varied schedule that depends on tide and weather; field sites span approximately 50 miles of coastline and include 10                        different sites.

 
What You’ll Bring:

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

·         Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources.

·         Experience working in physically strenuous settings sometimes to the point of physical fatigue, in variable weather conditions, at                  remote locations, and on difficult and hazardous terrain.

·         Must have valid driver’s license, safe driving record (per TNC’s Auto Safety Program) and provide own transportation and personal                automobile insurance.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·         BS degree in biology, wildlife management, or related field preferred, or coursework in active pursuit of a degree in biology, wildlife              management, or related field.

·         Waterbird and shorebird identification skills. Experience with monitoring reproductive success of beach nesting birds preferred.

·         Experience operating and trailering boats independently up to 20 feet in length.

·         Experience using GPS units, GIS mapping software and remote data collection tools such as ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey 123.

·         Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite software.

·         Local knowledge of the Eastern Shore of Virginia seaside, tides, and barrier islands preferred. Must meet Virginia’s Boating Safety                Education requirement or will be required to complete an online course prior to start of position.

What We Bring:

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellbeing benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab  on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellbeing, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

Current funding provides for $21.50 per hour, 40 hours/week, 12 weeks duration. Few benefits. Shared seasonal housing will be provided with the rental value included as non-cash taxable income. Desired start date is April 2024.

TO APPLY:

Go to www.nature.org/careers, click Search Careers and search by the position title and/or location, then click Apply Now to submit an online application. It is necessary to complete the application in its entirety. In addition, please attach as one document your resume and a letter of interest. For assistance with the online process, go to:

http://www.nature.org/aboutus/careers/external-applicant-userguide.pdf.

Interested TNC employees should apply through PeopleSoft: https://peoplesoft.tnc.org/psp/tnchrprd/?cmd=login&errorPg=ckreq&languageCd=ENG

Application deadline is 11:59 PM on March 12, 2024.

Contact

Alex Rich

757-442-3049

alex.rich@tnc.org (preferred contact method)