Field Technician - Bird Banding

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at www.massaudubon.org.

About This Position

This position involves working with the Bird Banding Manager (permitted master bander) to help with all aspects of operating the seasonal, constant-effort mist netting banding station on Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1,100-acre coastal wildlife sanctuary in South Wellfleet, MA. Each spring (April 15-May 31), one Bird Banding Field Technician will help run the Wellfleet Bay banding station seven days a week, weather permitting, and help oversee several volunteers. They will lead or co-lead several public banding demonstrations for school groups and adult audiences.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist with preseason inventory of all gear and maintain net lane vegetation working with Property Manager
• Open nets each day and take them down at the end of banding
• With banding assistants and select volunteers, conduct frequent net runs to remove all birds and bring them back to station for processing
• Place federal aluminum bands on birds and collect various morphometric, weight, and other data on the bird’s condition before release
• Help supervise a small number of volunteers who help scribe data and eventually, when comfortable, remove birds from nets and handle them during processing
• Maintain effective communication about all job activities with Science Coordinator, Bird Banding Manager, and other external team members and support staff
• Provide photos to Marketing and Outreach Coordinator and post photos to social media accounts
• Conduct banding demonstrations for adults and children in coordination with our Education Department

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Experience removing songbirds from mist nets, banding them, and collecting morphometric data
• Strong familiarity with identification of eastern US songbirds required
• Demonstrated experience utilizing judgment in field-based wildlife research and management projects
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Willingness to spend long hours outdoors in all types of weather
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays, weather permitting
• Ability to lift approximately 50 pounds
• Valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle
• Reliable phone for communication
• It is helpful for the candidate to have local housing

Compensation & Benefits

This position’s base salary range is $16.60-$18.50/hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This is not a benefits eligible position.

Additional Information

Work Schedule:

April 15-June 1, 2023
Seven days a week, weather permitting, adding up to 40 hours. Rain and wind cancels work days.

Other Requirements:

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon's Commitment To Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon's mission is to "protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife" by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

How To Apply

Please apply on ADP Workforce Now at: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=6044bc19-19e6-443a-8a51-62fe8af33798&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=452016&lang=en_US&source=EN.