Seasonal Shorebird Stewardship and Monitoring Technician

National Audubon Society•Charleston, SC

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Seasonal Shorebird Stewardship and Monitoring Technician is an integral member of Audubon South Carolina’s Coastal Bird Stewardship Program. The program works with partners to train and organize volunteers at 13 coastal South Carolina sites to reduce human disturbance to nesting, migrating, and overwintering shorebirds and seabirds. The technician assists the Coastal Stewardship Coordinator and Coastal Program Manager with stewardship, public education, bird monitoring, and related conservation activities. This is a full-time seasonal position at 40 hours per week, running from March 1 to August 27. A typical work week is Tuesday through Saturday, with work required on some holidays, including Memorial Day and Independence Day. The role is hybrid under Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy: employees work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days per month of their choosing. Candidates should live within commuting distance of Audubon’s Charleston, South Carolina office. Compensation is $21.00 per hour.

Requirements

Must have completed or be pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a related field, or have equivalent knowledge and experience.
Ability to use optics such as binoculars or spotting scopes.
Willingness to work long hours outdoors in physically demanding conditions, including heat, humidity, and biting insects.
Ability to traverse distances of up to 5 miles, carry heavy equipment, and drive to coastal stewardship sites from Hunting Beach State Park to Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina, with or without accommodation.
Comfort interacting with the public and staff from multiple partner organizations.
Comfort riding in a boat and paddling a kayak.
Ability to work independently and as a team member.
Valid driver’s license and reliable personal vehicle for travel.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Schedule flexibility to accommodate weather, including early hours to avoid summer heat and thunderstorms.
Ability to work an average Tuesday-to-Saturday work week and occasional holidays.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, and change.

Nice To Haves

At least one season of work experience in avian ecology, nest monitoring, or coastal ecosystems.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with experience giving educational talks or guided bird walks.
Proficiency with social media platforms.
Experience identifying and counting large groups of coastal birds in eastern North America.
Experience fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Responsibilities

Assist the Coastal Stewardship Coordinator with in-person volunteer stewardship training events.
Conduct stewardship at key shorebird breeding and migration sites, educate beachgoers, and collect data on the type and frequency of human disturbances.
Distribute educational and promotional materials to beachgoers.
Distribute stewardship materials, including signs, vests, and educational handouts, to volunteers at stewardship sites.
Conduct shorebird surveys and bird counts using binoculars and a spotting scope, following established protocols.
Assist with shorebird nest monitoring at a key breeding site to measure reproductive success and assess causes of nest failure.
Assist with educational bird walks for shorebird stewards.
Assist with educational tabling events promoting “Share the Shore” messaging.
Assist partners with installing or removing protective shorebird fencing as needed.
Maintain field equipment and organize supplies.
Create social media and blog posts promoting “Share the Shore” messaging.
Take and organize site photographs.
Enter data into Excel and eBird databases as needed.
Participate in other coastal projects as needed, including salt marsh bird and vegetation monitoring.
Maintain and foster a culture of safety.