SEABIRD ISLAND SUPERVISORS
Audubon's
Seabird Restoration Program manages seven island research stations off
the coast of Maine that include active and former restoration sites for
Arctic, Common, Roseate, and Least Terns, Atlantic Puffins, Black
Guillemots, Razorbills, Laughing Gulls, Common Eiders, Leach’s
Storm-Petrels, and wading birds. Work includes, but is not limited to:
monitoring seabird populations, productivity, and growth; conducting
seabird diet studies; banding and resighting birds; removing invasive
vegetation; educating island visitors; conducting predator management;
and training and supervising Research Assistants and volunteers on site.
Positions require primitive camping and working on offshore islands. At
each island, a cabin or wall tent serves as the base of field
operations, and staff sleep in their own tents. All participants live
in or near the bird colonies in rustic conditions (limited solar
electricity, no running water; composting toilet only) and work 7
days/week, weather permitting. Island research teams are comprised of 2
to 6 people, led by the Island Supervisor, and are determined by island
size, seabird colony composition, and workload. Days can be long (0600
to 2000 hrs) and include one to two 3-hour observation stints each day
in a small wooden blind. All staff participate in seabird research and
camp maintenance duties. A salary of $455/week, plus food and Worker’s
compensation insurance is provided.
Supervisors should expect
to stay at their assigned island for the duration of the field season.
Supervisors working on inshore islands will have the ability to go
ashore (about every 1-2 weeks) to procure food and supplies for the
field station.
Responsibilities include: managing multiple
concurrent seabird studies, drafting a daily work and staff schedule,
training research assistants and volunteers on essential field and
computer skills, overseeing and participating in data collection and
management, conducting visitor education, protecting the site from human
disturbance, and predator management. Availability should be from
early May through August 15 (exact start date varies by island).
Qualifications: Applicants should have a B.S in biology or a related
field with several years of experience in similar field research
programs. Applicants must be in excellent physical condition (capable
of climbing over rugged terrain and able to lift approximately 50 lbs.),
have wilderness camping experience, be able to work independently and
as part of a team, be capable of working long hours outdoors in variable
weather conditions, and be able to work well with people of diverse
backgrounds. Bird banding experience is required for all positions, and
experience operating small motorboats is required for some positions. A
personal vehicle is necessary for some positions. Hunting and trapping
experience (for predator management) and previous experience
coordinating and training field crews are desirable. A sense of humor,
dedication to wildlife conservation, and passion for seabirds and
isolated islands are basic requirements. Must provide own binoculars,
sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and 2-person tent.
To apply: Applications must be submitted on-line. Visit www.audubon.org/audubon-career-center
for further details and to apply (search words: seabirds; Maine).
Applications must include a resume, cover letter, and a list of three
references. Applications are accepted through Feb 15, 2014, but hiring
may begin earlier. For questions regarding the positions contact Paula
Shannon (pshannon@audubon.org). For further information on the Seabird
Restoration Program and research islands, visit http://projectpuffin.audubon.org/island-research-program