Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship
Audubon Florida
Location: Florida Panhandle
Apply online only at: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/5117/senior-coordinator%2c-shorebird-stewardship/job
Position Summary
Audubon Florida helps manage beach-nesting and wintering coastal birds through much of the Florida Panhandle through posting, stewarding and protecting nesting areas from disturbance. The focus of these efforts are state-and federally-threatened species including Snowy Plover, American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmer, Least Tern, Wilson’s Plover, Red Knot and Piping Plover.
The Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship will be responsible for recruiting and managing volunteer bird stewards, and conducting public outreach, and education year-round in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin counties in the Florida panhandle. The program goals are to grow volunteer bird steward participation at target beaches and incorporate principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion into in-person and virtual public outreach and educational programs. During the non-breeding season, approximately September through March, the Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship will participate in, train and organize volunteers to conduct nonbreeding surveys at key sites, assist with coastal cleanups and other service projects, and will assist other full-time panhandle staff with organizing beach walks and public presentations.
The Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship works closely with three seasonal staff charged with bird stewardship and site management at key beaches and rooftops in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties during the nesting season, February through August or later in some years. The Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship will also work with two full time staff in Gulf and Franklin counties to recruit and deploy volunteers. The Senior Coordinator, Shorebird Stewardship will build public and partner engagement in bird stewardship during the nesting season through public presentations, beach walks, and coastal conservation-focused activities. They will be responsible for effective coordination between Audubon and key partner Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regarding data collection and stewardship as well as building and maintaining a broad variety of other working relationships among state and local agency staff, regional organizations, local governments, and volunteers.
This is a full-time, grant-funded position available approximately August 15, 2022 through December 31, 2023. Additional funding may be available to extend the term of employment beyond December 2023.
Essential Functions
• Maintain and build Audubon Florida’s volunteer base in the panhandle through outreach and onsite bird stewarding activities.
• Train, direct, and oversee volunteers at sites in need of bird stewardship activities.
• In coordination with Audubon and FWC field staff, provide up-to-date site information to volunteer bird stewards.
• Ensure all appropriate Florida Shorebird Database (FSD) and winter survey routes are effectively surveyed during the state-prescribed beach-nesting bird survey windows on Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach sites, and other sites as directed.
• Ensure data entry for all routes and site surveys is entered in the Florida Shorebird Database by required deadlines.
• Assist Audubon, FWC, and partner staff with pre-posting of historically used nesting areas.
• Ensure effective training, and oversight of volunteers conducting disturbance monitoring, surveying, and stewardship activities at designated sites.
• Ensure effective education and public engagement around coastal bird conservation through outreach at beach sites, verbal presentations to key constituencies, and via short articles/stories with photos for Audubon and news media.
• Recruit volunteer bird stewards for monitoring active rooftop-nesting sites; recruit, train, and manage volunteer bird stewards at targeted beaches and assist with volunteer training at rooftop sites throughout the region as needed.
• Ensure cameras, optical equipment, and other assigned equipment are maintained in good working order.
• Track and manage data necessary to meet grant funding-required metrics and contribute to quarterly report writing as directed.
• Assist staff with creating and deploying targeted messaging at sites through signage and educational materials.
• Engage locals, visitors, and businesses in vicinity of shorebird habitat.
• Partner with Audubon staff to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into our programming.
Qualifications and Experience
• 3+ years of experience with a bachelor’s degree with emphasis in biology, wildlife ecology, natural resources, environmental education or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, or leading programs or projects.
• Experience working with conservation-focused stakeholders.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including public speaking and presentations, and the ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and relationship building skills; excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and work as part of a team.
• Strong project management skills, including but not limited to, problem-solving, time management, contract and grant management, creating and maintaining collaborations with other organizations, developing public awareness activities, preparing reports, etc.
• Exceptional attention to detail a must.
• Ability and willingness to drive long distances and work throughout the Florida panhandle to accomplish program goals.
• Must be able to work long days, weekends, and holidays as needed during the coastal bird- nesting season.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, with or without accommodation, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult terrain while maintaining a positive attitude,
• Interest in conservation and passion for the mission of the National Audubon Society.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
EEO Statement
The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.
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COVID Policy
All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.