Assistant Sanctuary Manager

National Audubon Society

5d•$25 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Audubon's Seabird Institute manages seven island research stations off the coast of Maine that support breeding colonies of 23 species of seabirds and waterbirds, including Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Arctic, Common, Least, and Roseate Terns, Laughing Gulls, Common Eiders, Leach’s Storm-Petrels, Manx Shearwaters, and wading birds. The sites are all Maine Important Bird Areas. Each island research station is staffed seasonally with an Island Supervisor and up to four Research Assistants, interns, and volunteers, based on island size, seabird colony composition and workload. Work conducted on the islands includes, but is not limited to: monitoring seabird productivity and growth, conducting seabird diet studies, banding and resighting birds, conducting censuses, removing invasive vegetation, and conducting predator management. The Assistant Sanctuary Manager will aid the Sanctuary Management Team with facilitation of the field program at seven island research stations. Duties include, but are not limited to, preparation of field sites and equipment prior to the start of the field season; setting up seasonal camps; supporting logistics throughout the field season by purchasing and transporting supplies and equipment; training field crews; participating in seabird censuses and monitoring; conducting predator management; removing marine debris from field sites; conducting vegetation control and habitat management; maintaining island facilities; supporting annual closing of the field camps; and cleaning and maintaining boats and other field equipment. Extended visits to remote field camps will be a routine part of the position. The work week may stretch across seven days, as weather dictates. Weekend work may be required, and days can be long. Research camp facilities include composting toilets, limited solar electricity and no running water. When not at a field station, for the convenience of the Program, shared mainland housing is provided.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, conservation biology, wildlife management, or a related field with prior experience in similar field research programs
Experience supervising field crews
Ability to work closely with program staff, cooperators, and volunteers
Experience with rowing and safely operating motorboats 12-23 ft. in length, and driving a vehicle with boat trailer in tow
Valid state driver’s license; operating motor vehicles is a requirement of the position
Field experience with seabirds and seabird management in remote environments
Bird banding and trapping experience
Wilderness or primitive camping experience
Experience with predator control (including avian and mammalian control programs)
Experience with: spotting scopes, bird banding and trapping equipment (mist nets, etc.), outboard engine care/basic maintenance, inflatable boat repair, boat safety equipment, camping equipment (e.g. tents, composting toilets, etc), solar power systems, basic hand tools (e.g. hammer, drill driver, etc), communication equipment (cell phones, VHF radios)
Ability to land on offshore islands on irregular terrain; comfortable maneuvering with at least 50 lbs with or without accommodations , hauling water jugs and field equipment
Ability to traverse rugged terrain and slippery rocks

Nice To Haves

preference for experience managing a seabird field program
hunting experience desirable

Responsibilities

Assist the Sanctuary Management Team with implementation of multiple concurrent seabird studies at seven island field stations, which may include, but are not limited to: bird trapping, banding and resighting; observations from blinds; conducting seabird diet studies; conducting nest censuses; monitoring productivity and growth; mist-netting; computer data entry; blood or specimen collection; vegetation management; predator monitoring and control;
Participate in the setup (including pre-season visits to specific islands) and breakdown of field camps and maintenance of field equipment;
Procure groceries and supplies, pack supplies for islands, and transport people and supplies to islands;
Participate in the orientation program for seasonal island staff and provide essential training to supervisors, research assistants and volunteers;
When at research sites, participate in seabird studies, and review procedures and data collection to ensure proper implementation of work plans.
Protect the seabird colonies from human disturbance and conduct predator management or control as necessary;
Operate power and row boats to transport personnel and supplies to offshore islands. Use of personal flotation devices is mandatory. Move boats from site to site on boat trailers.
Responsible for proper care of NAS-issued equipment, including but not limited to: spotting scopes, cameras, GPS, cell phones, radios, and other research equipment;
Assist with preparation for the annual Gulf of Maine Seabird Working Group meeting;
Assist with checking in island equipment at the end of the season and ensuring everything is stored properly for winter.
Coordinate and cooperate with personnel from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and other project cooperators.
Collaborate with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Other job duties as assigned.