SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST: Audubon California is seeking a full-time Shorebird Conservation Biologist responsible for helping Audubon California implement shorebird conservation projects on private and public lands in the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley and surrounding areas, as well as working on other projects helping to protect birds on private lands. Audubon California, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and PRBO- Conservation Science, has created the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership to advance the conservation of migratory birds in California. The partners are working closely with rice farmers, other landowners, and wetland managers in the Central Valley to enhance the value of agricultural lands and managed wetlands for waterbirds, particularly shorebirds. This is currently a one year position with an opportunity to extend if additional funding is secured. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: coordinating wildlife friendly agriculture projects and bird monitoring efforts; developing and implementing conservation plans for private farms that involve alternative field management strategies, as well as habitat restoration; enrolling landowners in incentive programs to provide cost share for wildlife-friendly management practices; collaboration with public agency staff and wetland managers to enhance the habitat value of wetlands for shorebirds; and coordinating citizen scientist volunteers to implement bird monitoring. QUALIFICATIONS: advanced degree in ornithology, ecology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field; demonstrated experience working with a variety of public and private stakeholders to coordinate and implement conservation projects (ideally including experience working with private landowners in an agricultural setting); strong field identification skills and knowledge of birds, especially waterbirds; experience in identification and surveying of vegetation and other wildlife desirable; experience in habitat restoration and/or management desirable, especially with wetlands; experience in creating and using databases, mapping and GIS skills also desirable; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and ability and willingness to work both independently and as part of a team. Position will require excellent communication skills with the program team, landowners, and volunteers; strong initiative and self-motivation and ability to work with limited supervision; ability to travel in California, and to work evenings and weekends, as needed; ability to perform physically demanding field tasks, including but not limited to, extensive hiking during field monitoring work and manual labor required for establishing monitoring plots and assisting in restoration activities; and strong commitment to the mission and vision of the National Audubon Society. Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the person best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (handicap) or marital status. Full job description available on request. TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and resume to Rodd Kelsey at rkelsey AT audubon.org.
