Avian Monitoring Technician

YOUR position WITH TNC

The Avian Monitoring Technician performs a variety of routine tasks that assists the implementation of work plans within the business unit. The Avian Monitoring Technician provides administrative assistance to program or preserve staff. They provide research assistance to a program or preserve tasks, project management and/or general assistance to program or preserve staff. They may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Avian Monitoring Technician performs a variety of routine tasks that assists the implementation of bird-friendly agriculture objectives within the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

We will hire 2 technicians for this job, with these approximate staggered start and end dates:

*late September

*early October

Housing will be provided in a TNC – owned field house at Cosumnes River Preserve. Technicians will be permitted to provide their own private off-site housing if they so choose. If technicians opt to provide their own housing they will not be reimbursed for housing costs and it will need to be located within a reasonable distance (maximum 30-40 miles) from the Cosumnes River Preserve.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

In order to meet its long-term objective to have 1,000,000 acres of bird-friendly agriculture supported in California, the Migratory Bird Initiative is increasing its efforts to implement new projects that demonstrate compatible agricultural practices. Many of these innovations for compatible agricultural techniques are yet untested, and the Avian Monitoring Technician will assist in quantifying the biological value of these techniques on Staten Island, CA and on other private land throughout the Central Valley. Specific duties may include the following functions:

* Set up fields for monitoring. Includes wading into flooded areas and pounding in depth stakes

* Conduct visual surveys of birds, focusing on western waterbirds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and long-legged waders (including cranes).

* Conduct visual surveys of pertinent habitat features at survey sites.

* Communicate with rural landowners and/or farm managers.

* Possible invertebrate and grain sampling in working lands.

* Complete, accurate, and clear record-keeping of field survey observations.

* Possible overnight travel to other field sites in California.

* Possible assistance with preserve management tasks.

* Maintain project records.

* May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

* Require starting some workdays before sunrise.

* Require minor physical exertion and/or muscular strain.

* Present occasional possibility of injury.

* Expose one to adverse weather conditions (both hot and cold).

* Require long hours in isolated settings.

* Requires frequent long periods of driving.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates Degree in natural resources; environmental studies or equivalent combination of education and 6 months’ experience.

• Experience identifying western waterbirds (including small difficult to distinguish shorebirds) to species by sight in the field.

• Experience managing and prioritizing tasks from multiple sources.

• Independent completion of tasks within assigned timeframes.

• Clear communication via written, spoken, and graphical means in English.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Possession of a driver’s license valid in California.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

• Experience in identifying western waterbirds (including small difficult to distinguish shorebirds) by sound.

• Experience conducting avian surveys with binoculars and spotting scopes (skill in counting birds in large flocks).

• Experience interacting with rural landowners.

• Experience using software, particularly Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS

• Experience driving 4×4 vehicles off-road.

• Time management skills.

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

The candidate selected for this position will be paid an hourly rate of $25.22. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate’s location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.