Position Summary
Audubon seeks a motivated, dynamic individual to support its Working Lands Program in California. The Associate, Working Lands will support habitat incentive projects tricolored blackbird conservation efforts, participate in natural resource management planning, conduct science and monitoring following established protocols, and support program staff to coordinate advocacy and projects to advance National Audubon Society’s (NAS) conservation priorities in the Central Valley. This position reports to the Working Lands Program Director and works closely with the Working Lands team, as well as a broad range of external partners, including farmers, wetland managers, local, state, and federal agencies, NAS chapters, community members, and other conservation organizations. Audubon California’s Working Lands program works throughout the Central Valley to advance policies and projects to improve farms for the benefit of birds, enhance managed wetlands, ensure adequate flooded and upland habitat for migratory birds, and improve the climate resilience of wildlife in the Central Valley.
This is an on-site position based in Audubon, California Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley.
Compensation: $21.63-$25.48 / hour
Apply at Audubon's Career Center: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/5659/associate%2c-working-lands/job
Essential Functions
Support Working Lands staff to implement, track, and report on habitat enhancement projects on Central Valley wetlands, rice, Tricolored Blackbirds, hedgerows, groundwater recharge, and land repurposing projects.
In close collaboration with the Working Lands team, support tracking project budgets, reporting requirements, and third-party contracts.
Work with NAS, The Nature Conservancy, and Point Blue Conservation Science staff to assess the value of alternative wetland and farm management practices and achieve research goals.
Conduct bird and other habitat monitoring at research sites and prepare preliminary data results.
Set up fields for monitoring. It may include wading into flooded areas in chest waders and pounding in-depth stakes.
Conduct visual surveys of birds, often requiring flock estimation. Focal birds include western waterbirds (including shorebirds), tricolored blackbirds, and western landbirds.
Conduct visual surveys of pertinent habitat features of survey areas.
Collect data using datasheets in the field, enter data into a digital database, and proof.
Digitize field boundaries, survey locations, and survey areas in Google Earth.
Navigate sensitive landowner relationships at private lands enhancement or research sites and communicate regularly in varying formats (e.g., text, phone call) with rural landowners and/or farm managers and other survey crew and staff members.
In collaboration with the Working Lands team, engage landowners, agencies, and NAS chapters to build partnerships for restoration and enhancement projects and advocacy for Central Valley habitat.
Serve as a public representative of NAS and the Working Lands team, including presentations, public speaking, meeting participation, and/or other interactions with agencies, NGOs, Audubon chapters, and landowners to gather and disseminate information.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resources management, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience is also considered.
1-2 years experience in avian research, field methods and data collection, conservation planning, and/or project coordination.
Ability to manage field project duties with a variety of partners.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation, and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences
Ability to identify and estimate numbers of western waterbirds by sight using binoculars and spotting scope; tricolored blackbirds by sight and sound; western upland bird species by sight and sound.
Skilled at driving a 4WD vehicle on narrow roads and in variable conditions, i.e., mud, wet, and fog.
Able to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple sources, meeting deadlines with strong attention to detail.
Experience working with a diverse group of people. Previous work with the farming community is a plus
Experience working on field projects in agricultural and natural settings. Interactions with private landowners are a plus.
Ability to build consensus among individuals (e.g., conservation partners, private landowners, farmers, volunteers, and local community members).
Demonstrated experience writing scientific reports or papers and writing for a general, non-science audience.
Strong project management skills, including but not limited to setting and implementing practical goals and objectives, problem-solving, time management, coordinating fieldwork, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.
Self-starter with a strong collaborative work ethic and ability to work independently.
Knowledge and appreciation of the people, values, and current conservation issues of agricultural landscapes and managed wetlands.
A working knowledge of ArcGIS, comfort using a GPS unit, and a mapping system through ArcGIS Collector on an iPad preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
A flexible approach to work and willingness to take on new projects or tasks as needed.
Ability to engage in strenuous outdoor activity, carry field equipment and endure outdoor field conditions, including cold and wet winter weather and extreme heat with or without accommodation
Willingness to conduct in-state travel and work evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
Valid driver's license required.
This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).
Position Summary The Seasonal Field Biologist will be an integral part of our field efforts supporting the Working Lands Initiative at Audubon California including Tricolored Blackbird research and conservation, surveys of crops and wetlands and waterbird use of wetlands. This position will report to a Working Lands Conservation Project Manager and will work in close coordination with the Working Lands Team at Audubon CA and the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership that includes Audubon California, The Nature Conservancy, and Point Blue Conservation Science as well as other partners. This is a full-time, temporary, grant-funded position scheduled for 40 hours/week with potential flexibility for a 4-day x 10 hr. work week. The position is expected to last from mid-March through May, with the possibility for extension. There is the potential for housing to be provided. This is a field-based position with variable work locations across California’s Central Valley, from Merced County to Kern County. Compensation: $22.00 / hour Apply at: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/5609/seasonal-field-biologist-(avian)%2c-working-lands/job Essential Functions Assist with Tricolored Blackbird capture efforts, including mist netting, banding, and tagging with radio transmitters. Track tricolored blackbirds using handheld telemetry equipment and help with the construction of Motus stations. Monitor tricolored blackbird colony locations to detect colony initiation, track breeding progression, and assess conspecific attraction experiments.\ Set up fields for monitoring. May include wading into flooded areas in chest waders and pounding in depth stakes. Conduct visual surveys of birds often requiring flock estimation. Focal birds include western shorebirds and other waterbirds (common species include but are not limited to Long-billed Dowitcher, Dunlin, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Greater Yellowlegs) and Tricolored Blackbirds. Conduct visual surveys of pertinent habitat features of survey areas. Communicate regularly in varying formats (e.g. text, phone call) with rural landowners and/or farm managers and other survey crew and staff members. Collect data using datasheets in the field, enter data into digital database and proof. Digitize field boundaries, survey locations, and survey areas in Google Earth. Prepare preliminary data summaries. Possible overnight travel to other field sites in California. Qualifications and Experience Associate degree in natural resources, environmental studies, or similar subject, and/or 2+ years of applicable experience. Experience extracting passerines from mist nets and with handling, banding, measuring, and tagging birds. Ability to identify and estimate numbers of western shorebirds and waterbirds by sight using binoculars and a spotting scope; tricolored blackbirds by sight and sound. Skilled at driving a 4WD vehicle on narrow roads and in variable conditions, i.e. mud, wet and fog. Able to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple sources and strong attention to detail. Experience working with a diverse group of people, previous work with the farming community a plus Experience working on field projects in agricultural and natural settings, and interactions with private landowners a plus. Excellent communication skills; frequent communication with survey team members and private landowners will be necessary. Possession of a driver’s license valid in California. The ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Technically savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite applications, internet browsers, Google Earth, iPad, and related data entry apps; GIS experience a plus but not required. Flexible with scheduling and ability to anticipate upcoming needs, careful time management and punctuality: willingness to work extended hours and/or travel as needed to accommodate unexpected issues, workload