Western Snowy Plover Conservation Technician

Point Blue Conservation Science • Monterey, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Western Snowy Plover Conservation Technician will be an employee of Point Blue Conservation Science and part of a five-person Point Blue team. The Technician will also participate in a multi-agency management team that works collaboratively to achieve snowy plover conservation outcomes. The collaborative team includes staff from Point Blue Conservation Science, CA State Parks (Santa Cruz and Monterey Districts), US Fish and Wildlife Service (Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge and Ventura Field Office), and US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services. The Technician will participate in field monitoring of breeding snowy plovers (70%), entering and managing snowy plover data (20%), implementing snowy plover habitat protections and other management actions (5%), and participating in collaborative team meetings (5%). Field work takes place on beaches and managed coastal ponds and entails using optics (binoculars and scope) for conducting color band resighting, behavioral observations, and nest monitoring. The technician will interact with the public to provide information on snowy plover habitat protections and conservation threats. The Technician will work a total of 5 months (~800 hours) between March-early August of 2027. A start date in early March is preferred but could be as late as March 15th. We are committed to removing barriers based on racial, gender, cultural, and other factors and believe that equal representation is essential to the success of Point Blue's mission and vision. We seek and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams.

Requirements

• Strong interest in birds and conservation
• Ability to perceive and differentiate colors accurately
• Ability to traverse long distances through sandy and uneven terrain (hiking several miles on dry sand)
• Willingness to interact with the public
• Ability to work alone (after a training period)
• Ability to work with others from the Point Blue team and collaborators
• Valid driver's license
• Personal vehicle
• Current proof of insurance

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with field work
• Previous experience with scientific data collection
• Previous experience working with birds
• Currently living in the Monterey Bay/Monterey/Santa Cruz area

Responsibilities

• Field monitoring of breeding snowy plovers
• Entering and managing snowy plover data
• Implementing snowy plover habitat protections and other management actions
• Participating in collaborative team meetings
• Using optics (binoculars and scope) for conducting color band resighting, behavioral observations, and nest monitoring
• Interacting with the public to provide information on snowy plover habitat protections and conservation threats

Benefits

• Up to 40 hours of paid sick time
• Reimbursement for personal vehicle use for field work at the current federal mileage rate
• Binoculars and scope provided for the field season

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed