Avian Monitoring Technician

About the role

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.

Responsibilities & Scope

• 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

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 4x4 vehicles off-road
• Time management skills

Benefits

• Competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits