Seasonal Coastal Ecologist

The Trustees of Reservations • Ipswich, MA

4d • $19 - $21 • Onsite

About The Position

As a Coastal Ecologist you will be part of the Natural Resources Team who is responsible for exemplary habitat protection and management statewide including 2,000 acres of salt marsh, 26 miles of barrier beach, an exemplary beach-nesting shorebird program and more than 700 acres of barrens habitat. This will be an opportunity to learn about and participate in many of the modern stewardship challenges land managers face today, especially those being exacerbated by climate change
As a Seasonal Coastal Ecologist, you will assist with monitoring, research, and management activities associated with several large-scale ecological restoration efforts in Eastern Massachusetts. The primary focus of the position includes collecting monitoring data at multiple locations in the Great Marsh, the largest salt marsh ecosystem in New England and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern as part of an innovative partnership to restore resiliency and habitat to the Great Marsh. This position will also include monitoring for white-tailed deer browse impacts on 15 properties as part of The Trustees program to reduce deer browse impacts and improve habitat resiliency on thousands of acres of protected land.

Requirements

• At least 3 months of previous field experience (does not need to be in salt marsh)
• Coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field
• The ability to identify marsh feeding and breeding birds by sight and sound
• The ability to identify plants
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to work alone in the field or remotely as well as with volunteers and the public
• The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions
• The ability to perform physically strenuous duties, such as hiking up to several miles throughout a day
• The ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds
• The ability to occasionally work some weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (depending upon wildlife, weather, tides, and contractor availability)
• Access to private transportation, mileage will be reimbursed

Nice To Haves

• Marsh-nesting bird surveys
• Biological data collection and management
• GPS and ArcGIS mapping and navigation
• Working with volunteers and/or citizen science programs

Responsibilities

• Conduct bird surveys to document habitat quality and use on 358 acres of salt marsh including:
• Surveys of breeding birds with a focus on saltmarsh sparrows following established monitoring protocols (i.e., SHARP)
• Monitoring tern foraging activity
• Monitoring non-breeding bird use within salt marsh restoration areas and coordinating volunteer participation as time allows
• Documenting habitat characteristics for saltmarsh sparrow nest sites
• Collect data for breeding mosquitoes on 90 acres of salt marsh
• Collect data on salt marsh restoration projects including ditch remediation, runnels, nesting islands, and marsh pools
• Provide daily oversight for seasonal interns assisting with coastal habitat and species monitoring
• Analyze collected data for birds, mosquitoes, and salt marsh restoration, and complete annual reports
• Survey monitoring plots for deer browse at 15 forested properties throughout eastern Massachusetts
• Other tasks and duties as assigned related to the Coastal Ecology Program

Benefits

• Housing: May be available, not guaranteed
• Sick time: 40 hours upfront
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees