Shorebird Monitor Supervisor, Field Technician

Duxbury Beach Reservation•Duxbury, MA

31d•$17 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of both the Field Technician and the Shorebird Monitor Supervisor roles is to assist in the protection of the listed species Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) and Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), working as part of the Endangered Species Program, a subset of the Coastal Ecology Program. At the beginning of the season the employee will help to install necessary fencing and barriers. During the season they will assist with daily data collection including, but not limited to: avian behavior, nesting phenology, predator observations, visitor statistics, Piping Plover road crossings, Least Tern colony and nursery observations, etc. following the protocols provided for to meet the requirements of Duxbury Beach Reservation’s Certificate of Inclusion permit. The employee will interact with the public to provide information and answer questions as necessary and communicate beach rules and regulations in a polite and professional manner. As needed they will assist in implementing temporary road closures due to plover brood road crossing activity. They will report directly to the Duxbury Beach Reservation Field Coordinator, and work closely with and communicate daily with other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff and the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers. Additionally, Shorebird Monitor Supervisors will fulfill all of the functions mentioned above, and will also assist with supervisory and administrative tasks for the Endangered Species Program. Shorebird Monitor Supervisors will work together to train, assign, and supervise Shorebird Monitors. They will provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship for Shorebird Monitors to ensure protocols are met including but not limited to, behavioral data collection, predator observations, visitor statistics, Piping Plover road crossings, Least Tern colony and nursery observations, barrier use, etc., and ensure they are implemented correctly.

Requirements

Applicants with a B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology/management or related field, or equivalent work experience, are strongly preferred; a minimum of one year of professional experience in avian monitoring or a similar field
An interest or willingness to learn about the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts, Massachusetts Barrier Beach guidelines and Federal Barrier Beach guidelines
An interest or willingness to learn about the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan
Experience with behavioral data collection, wildlife tracking, and coastal wildlife management issues
Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, subordinate employees, and the public, and the ability to carry out specific tasks as assigned by the Field Coordinator
Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions and be able to lift and carry up to 60lbs across varied and sandy terrain
Be prepared to work outdoors with exposure to extreme weather conditions in secluded areas; practice extreme care and safety precautions while on the job including following special safety precautions, training, and wear protective clothing such as coats, hats, sunglasses, boots, etc.
Employees will be required to find their own housing as well as reliable transportation to and from work; use of personal vehicles may be required to access remote sections of the beach
Employees will be required to provide their own binoculars
Must have US work authorization
Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate related program equipment and vehicles
Specific vision abilities required include close, medium, and distance vision, the ability to adjust focus and distinguish colors and shapes, and the ability to read pertinent documents
Auditory demands include communicating with others on a regular basis and distinguishing between different types of bird calls
Ability to use hands and fingers to calibrate and use field equipment such as binoculars and tablets

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience preferred for the Shorebird Monitor Supervisor position
Experience with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 preferred (training provided)

Responsibilities

Conduct nest searching and monitoring for listed species
Assist the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff in identifying vulnerable nesting sites
Behavioral observations of Piping Plover pairs, broods, and Least Tern chick nurseries
Conduct Least Tern colony and chick surveys
Assist Shorebird Monitors in locating Piping Plover broods and Least Tern chicks
Identify shorebirds of the Eastern U.S.
Collect data of predator presence through observations of sightings, tracks, and signs
Perform functions related to the DBR Certificate of Inclusion under the MA Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plovers and Least Terns including implementing road closures, installing and maintaining fencing and barriers, and public outreach
Use ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, and other ArcGIS applications to record biological and other data
Assist in management of collected seasonal data including abundance, productivity, and behavioral data
Compile data for state plover, tern, and oystercatcher census forms and assist the Field Coordinator with summary reports for specific sites on results and management activities
Uphold high standards of data collection
Review and proof data
Provide feedback and clarification on field data
Submit daily updates on Piping Plover and Least Terns via Slack to the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation Staff
Collaborate with field staff to ensure adequate monitoring coverage
Communicate observations of enforcement issues directly to the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers through Slack
Communicate with Duxbury Beach Reservation staff, Town of Duxbury staff, and public regarding vehicle, pedestrian, and/or dog closure areas on Duxbury Beach
Accomplish wildlife and education objectives of the Endangered Species Program
Attend meetings and trainings scheduled by the Field Coordinator
Understand and abide by Duxbury Beach Rules & Regulations, the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover Certificate of Inclusion and the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan as they pertain to the daily operations of the Reservation
Carry out related duties as required
Assist in initial training of Shorebird Monitors and provide follow-up training as necessary
Assist in determining daily assignments for Shorebird Monitors to ensure sufficient Piping Plover brood coverage
Provide mentorship to Shorebird Monitors on field and data collection, public interaction, and other skills pertaining to their position
Provide verbal and written feedback on Shorebird Monitor performance, and administer written or verbal warnings regarding Shorebird Monitor behavior as necessary
Daily review of Shorebird Monitor data collection detailing daily movement of broods and chicks
Ensure that the quality of work and data collection completed by Shorebird Monitors is up to the standard required by the Endangered Species Program with feedback and guidance provided as needed
Conduct end-of-season performance evaluations on Shorebird Monitors
Provide direction to Shorebird Monitors and Town of Duxbury Beach Operations staff to implement road closures during brood crossings
Communicate daily updates on Shorebird Monitor assignments and performance via Slack to the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff
Daily communication with Shorebird Monitors regarding: task assignment, field assistance, assistance in road closures, etc.