Seasonal Coastal Bird Technician

National Audubon Society

8d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

Coastal Mississippi’s beaches and islands provide nesting habitat for a variety of birds such as Least Terns, Black Skimmers, Wilson’s Plovers, Snowy Plovers, and American Oystercatchers. We are seeking three (3) Seasonal Coastal Bird Technicians to survey and monitor nesting areas, help buffer beach-nesting birds against the threats of human disturbance, and offer outreach and education to visitors. The technician will work with Audubon staff, volunteers, and partners to help monitor and protect the breeding of beach-nesting species on mainland beaches and the nearshore and barrier islands. The coastal bird technician will count and monitor breeding colonies, survey coastal areas, perform disturbance surveys, resight banded birds, and track nests, chicks, and their fates. Supervised by the Senior Coordinator of Field Operations, the technician will have opportunities to intimately monitor and protect charismatic beach-nesting bird species and gain outreach and education skills. This position will be split between mainland Least Tern colonies and nesting Black Skimmers, Snowy Plovers, Wilson’s Plovers, American Oystercatchers, and various tern species on Mississippi’s islands. The positions are based in coastal Mississippi (Jackson, Harrison, or Hancock County). Shared housing will be provided. The position will start on 7 April 2026 and terminate in early August (~20 weeks). Occasional weekend and holiday work will be required, including Independence Day. A valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle are required (mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate).

Requirements

Must have completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a related field.
Excellent interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills.
Must be willing to work long hours outside under physically demanding conditions (hot, humid, biting insects) and to live in group housing (provided).
Must be comfortable interacting with the public and staff of multiple partner organizations.
Must be comfortable riding on a boat
A valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle are required for travel between housing and nearby work sites; travel will be reimbursed at the current federal rate.
Must have strong organizational skills and great attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required.
Flexibility in schedule that accommodates weather conditions, with the ability to work occasional weekends or holidays required.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Nice To Haves

At least one season of work experience in avian ecology or coastal ecosystems is preferred
Experience identifying and counting large groups of coastal birds in eastern North America preferred.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Responsibilities

Perform beach-nesting bird surveys, monitoring colony size, nest and chick fates, and fledging rates to determine productivity on mainland, nearshore, and barrier islands.
Assist with posting and fencing colonial and solitary bird nesting sites.
Collect data on human use of beaches and impacts on colonial and solitary nesters.
Resight banded adult birds and chicks to determine territory ownership and to confirm fledge success.
Deploy game cameras on active nests and maintain and organize photos throughout the season.
Work with full-time staff to engage local communities to increase awareness about protecting sensitive beach-nesting birds.
Enter data daily and maintain order and quality in all existing datasets
Properly maintain field equipment and keep supplies and materials organized.
Participate in other projects as necessary.
Maintains and fosters culture of safety.