Collier County Anchor Steward
Audubon Florida
Marco Island, FL
APPLY ONLINE ONLY AT: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/5206/collier-county-anchor-steward/job
Position Summary
Audubon Florida supports management of beach-nesting birds at many locations on the Gulf Coast and Northeast Atlantic Coast of Florida by surveying, posting, stewarding and protecting nesting areas from disturbance. To better monitor and protect the nesting shorebirds along beaches and other nest sites Audubon is hiring a seasonal Beach Anchor Steward to work at beach-nesting bird sites within Collier County, Florida. The site most likely requiring stewardship is Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area. Nesting species may include Wilson’s Plover, Least Tern, and Black Skimmer. The primary responsibility of the Anchor Steward is to organize and train volunteers to help monitor nesting birds and to conduct public outreach around the sea/shorebird nesting areas. Additional responsibilities include aiding with additional sea/shorebird surveys with the supervisor, assisting external partners with research and management, and data management at the discretion of the supervisor.
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week, seasonal position focused on weekend days and holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, if nesting persists until the latter holiday. The position is expected to begin on April 17, 2023 and continue through the end of nesting season, to be determined in consultation with supervisor. Nesting may persist into August or early September but can end early in the event of a catastrophic event or other total loss of nesting activity.
Compensation: $15.00 per hour
Essential Functions
Under the direction of Audubon’s Southwest Florida Monitoring and Stewardship Project Manager, the Collier County Anchor Steward will be responsible for the following tasks:
• Monitor nesting birds and conduct minimum weekly counts of nests, chicks, and fledged young of each nesting species, and enter/report data to the supervisor.
• Assist site managers and Audubon staff with installing symbolic fencing around new nest areas as needed.
• Conduct public outreach at nesting beaches on weekends and holidays generally between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Hours may run longer or change as needed, and longer hours are anticipated on holiday weekends.
• Assist with recruiting volunteers; train and schedule volunteers to chaperone nesting birds and to conduct public outreach at nesting beaches on weekends and holidays.
• Work closely with site managers and Audubon staff, external partners, and volunteers in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Assist with additional surveys and research with Audubon Florida staff and external partners.
Qualifications and Experience
• Experience and ability with verbal communication.
• Experience and ability with record-keeping and summarizing data for grant-required reports.
• Ability to recruit, train, support, and schedule volunteers.
• Work well independently and with other staff and volunteers.
• A positive and diplomatic attitude.
• Demonstrated capability of physically active work on sandy beaches carrying field equipment during Florida summer field conditions. Ability to move 30 lbs with or without accommodation.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a personal vehicle suited for transportation to complete assigned tasks.
• Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.
• Must be comfortable with boating and working on the water. Experience using a motorboat is preferred.
• Previous experience with monitoring and stewardship for one sea/shorebird nesting season is preferred, but similar experience will be considered.
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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