Shorebird Conservation Biologist

Position Title:   Shorebird Conservation Biologist           

Department:   Resilient Habitats

Reports To:  Director, Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative

FLSA Classification: Full Time/Exempt

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Shorebird Conservation Biologist will be Manomet’s lead in Louisiana to implement local, national, and international conservation strategies promoted or coordinated by Manomet’s Resilient Habitats Division. The primary responsibility of the shorebird biologist will be to work closely with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s state and field staffs  in Louisiana (NRCS), and other partners to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate, help implement, and monitor the resource value of voluntary conservation provisions available to farmers through the Federal Farm Bill. This position serves as the independent specialist and key regional shorebird program representative of Manomet, and will include supervisory responsibilities in close collaboration with NRCS partners. This is a fully remote position.  The Shorebird Conservation Biologist must have access to an adequate remote workspace.

ABOUT MANOMET:

Manomet is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Workplace diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Help facilitate enrollment in the Shorebirds in Louisiana Wetlands program

1. Supervise up to two shorebird technicians who will be working directly with producers in close cooperation with NRCS
2. Communicate effectively with partners, landowners, volunteers and the public
3. Provide outreach and technical support to landowners and producers with an emphasis towards engaging historically underserved producers
4. Collaborate with NRCS and other regional partners to improve the practices and delivery of the Shorebirds in Louisiana Wetlands program
5. Represent Manomet and the Shorebirds in Louisiana Wetlands program at regional meetings and events (i.e. festivals, field days, etc.)

2. Maintain and manage ongoing communication with partners and Manomet team to deliver conservation activities and results

1. Create outreach materials including best management practice guides, flyers, and social media posts to promote the Shorebirds of Louisiana Wetlands program
2. Create longer communications such as webinars, presentations, articles, etc, both within the region and to the broader Manomet audience
3. Coordinate among partners with regular meetings to facilitate collaboration within the region
4. Take a leading role in growing and coordinating the Louisiana Shorebird Alliance
5. Continue to explore new funding opportunities to support and grow this work

3. Monitor and assess shorebird response to management activities

1. Plan and perform monitoring efforts on enrolled acres
2. Coordinate with partners to ensure monitoring occurs under the same protocol across sites
3. Work with partner organizations to expand ISS in Louisiana and recruit volunteers
4. Coordinate with Gulf Coast Joint Venture to evaluate shorebird habitat via remote sensing and with partners at LSU to build collaborative research opportunities

4. Represent Manomet within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley and Gulf Coast regions

1. Engage producers, partners, and the public in the region to advance Manomet’s mission and promote shorebirds and their conservation
2. Assist in regional workshops of the Midcontinent Shorebird Conservation Initiative
3. Assist with the planning and delivery of a regional Habitats for Shorebirds workshop
4. Providing on-the-ground support to other Manomet shorebird efforts within the Gulf Coast
5. Representing Gulf Coast and rice/crawfish interests in collaborating with other Manomet and WHSRN staff to better serve working lands and the Coalition for Shorebird Conservation goals

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Master of Science in Renewable Natural Resources with a concentration in wildlife, preferred
• Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavioral Biology
• 6+ years of experience in conservation biology and fieldwork, with an emphasis on waterbirds, monitoring, GIS and statistics
• Experience with working lands in the southeast including an understanding of agricultural practices and wildlife habitat preferred
• 3+ years of supervisory experience preferred
• Valid driver’s license required
• Must be able to pass background check

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to work in hot and humid field conditions of southern Louisiana
• Ability to travel and work in-person with a variety of partners and the general public.

SALARY RANGE: ($50,000-$80,000)

Compensation commensurate with experience. Manomet offers excellent benefits including health insurance, dental, 403b match, life insurance and several other benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email a resume and cover letter, jobs@manomet.org by February 5, 2024. Please reference job title in subject line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.  The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis. 

Manomet provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.