Seabird Research Assistant

National Audubon Society•Bremen, ME

26d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

Audubon's Seabird Institute manages seven island research stations off the coast of Maine that support breeding colonies of Arctic, Common, Roseate, and Least Terns, Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Laughing Gulls, Common Eiders, Leach’s Storm-Petrels, and wading birds (study species vary by island). Seasonal field teams live and work on each island for the duration of the field season. Work includes, but is not limited to: monitoring seabird populations, productivity, and growth; conducting seabird diet studies; banding and resighting birds; removing invasive vegetation; educating island visitors; assisting with predator management; data entry and proofing; and camp maintenance. Island field stations have a cabin or wall tent that serves as the base of field activity, limited electricity (solar panels power research needs), propane stoves, composting toilets, and no running water (rainwater is collected for washing; drinking water is brought from the mainland). Field team members sleep in their own tents. Communications with the mainland are via cell or VOIP phone, depending on location, with VHF radios as back-up. Island field teams consist of 2 to 5 people (depending on island and time of year) and are led by the Island Supervisor. All field team members participate in seabird monitoring and camp maintenance duties. For the welfare of the birds, field work is highly weather-dependent. Island work schedule and daily duties are determined by the Island Supervisor, following established work plans and procedures. Daily schedules will vary based on weather (no entry into the seabird colony is permitted during inclement weather to protect the nesting terns) and time of the nesting season. Daily activities may include the following: island-wide morning bird count; collection of weather data three times per day; one to two 3-hour “stints” in the observation blinds for data collection; seabird trapping and banding; productivity monitoring; trail maintenance; invasive plant removal; predator control; computer data entry; daily journal log entries; and maintenance of camp facilities. Following a brief orientation period on the mainland (shared housing provided), field teams will spend the entire field season living on-island. At inshore field sites (less than 2 miles from the mainland), teams will have a small motorboat and may have the ability to go ashore for food and supplies for the field station, approximately every 2 weeks. On offshore islands (more than 5 miles from the mainland), food and supplies will be delivered approximately every 3 weeks.

Requirements

At least one season of prior avian field experience, and/or at least an upper-level undergraduate studying Biology, Wildlife, or a related field.
Comfortable living and working in small groups on remote islands with limited amenities.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to get along with people of diverse backgrounds.
Capable of working long hours outdoors in variable weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to traverse rugged terrain and slippery rocks and maneuver with up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodations.
Wilderness camping experience.
Ability to make observations and record data from a small blind for three hours and maintain focus on data collection.
Comfortable on the water in small boats.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with bird banding, wilderness camping, rowing, boating, and/or hunting/trapping are helpful.

Responsibilities

Participate in seabird studies as scheduled by the Island Supervisor, 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 of chicks; computer data entry; blood or specimen collection; vegetation management; predator monitoring and control.
Use binoculars and spotting scopes to aid in the collection of data as specified by the Island Supervisor.
Perform 3-hour-long observation stints in small wooden observation blinds overlooking seabird nests.
Accurately and neatly record data on specified data sheets.
Enter and proof data in computer databases.
Protect the seabird colony from human disturbance.
Conduct predator management or control as necessary under the direction of the Island Supervisor.
Maintain field equipment and facilities.
Conduct trail maintenance and invasive plant removal.
Assist Island Supervisor with landing of equipment and new personnel on the island.
Operate power and/or row boats under guidance of Island Supervisor. Use of personal flotation devices is mandatory.
Maintain and properly care for NAS-issued equipment, including spotting scopes, cameras, GPS, cell phones, radios, stoves, and other research and camp equipment.
Assist with inventory of all island equipment and closing of the field station at the end of the season.
When on the mainland: procure supplies; pack groceries, research supplies, and mail in waterproof island transport bags; clean and fill water jugs for supplying research stations; clean and store field equipment at the end of the season; assist mainland-based staff as needed.
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.