Field Technician / Shorebird Monitor Supervisor

Position Titles: Shorebird Monitor Supervisor, Field Technician
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt (not benefit eligible)
Department: Coastal Ecology Program (CEP)
Salary Range: $17.00- $18.50 hourly (based on qualifications and role)
Location: Duxbury Beach, MA
Hours: Variable; including weekends, evenings & holidays; 18-40 hr/wk
Schedule: March to September; additional off-season hours as necessary

About the Organization: The Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, owns approximately 4 miles of Duxbury Beach, a 7.5-mile long barrier beach that extends from Marshfield in the north to Gurnet Point and Saquish in the south. The Reservation’s mission is to protect the beach structure, preserve its ecological resources and maintain recreational access. Part of this responsibility is to maintain a Coastal Ecology Program on Duxbury Beach. 

Field Technician / Shorebird Monitor Supervisor

Pay range:

Field Technician: $17.00 – $17.50 hourly
Shorebird Monitor Supervisor: $18.00 – $18.50 hourly

Nature of Work: The purpose of both the Field Technician and the Shorebird Monitor Supervisor roles is to assist in the protection of the listed species Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) and Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), working as part of the Endangered Species Program, a subset of the Coastal Ecology Program. At the beginning of the season the employee will help to install necessary fencing and barriers. During the season they will assist with daily data collection including, but not limited to: avian behavior, nesting phenology, predator observations, visitor statistics, Piping Plover road crossings, Least Tern colony and nursery observations, etc. following the protocols provided for to meet the requirements of Duxbury Beach Reservation’s Certificate of Inclusion permit. The employee will interact with the public to provide information and answer questions as necessary and communicate beach rules and regulations in a polite and professional manner. As needed they will assist in implementing temporary road closures due to plover brood road crossing activity. They will report directly to the Duxbury Beach Reservation Field Coordinator, and work closely with and communicate daily with other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff and the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers.

Additionally, Shorebird Monitor Supervisors will fulfill all of the functions mentioned above, and will also assist with supervisory and administrative tasks for the Endangered Species Program. Shorebird Monitor Supervisors will work together to train, assign, and supervise Shorebird Monitors. They will provide day-to-day supervision and mentorship for Shorebird Monitors to ensure protocols are met including but not limited to, behavioral data collection, predator observations, visitor statistics, Piping Plover road crossings, Least Tern colony and nursery observations, barrier use, etc., and ensure they are implemented correctly.

Responsibilities and Duties for Both Roles: The responsibilities and duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position. Additional tasks may be assigned (depending on need and availability) that are related, but not limited, to: vegetation sampling, invasive plant removal, avian composition surveys, dune monitoring, etc. 

Biological Field Work:

• Conduct nest searching and monitoring for listed species
• Assist the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff in identifying vulnerable nesting sites
• Behavioral observations of Piping Plover pairs, broods, and Least Tern chick nurseries
• Conduct Least Tern colony and chick surveys
• Assist Shorebird Monitors in locating Piping Plover broods and Least Tern chicks
• Identify shorebirds of the Eastern U.S.
• Collect data of predator presence through observations of sightings, tracks, and signs
• Perform functions related to the DBR Certificate of Inclusion under the MA Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plovers and Least Terns including implementing road closures, installing and maintaining fencing and barriers, and public outreach

Data Collection:

• Use ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123, and other ArcGIS applications to record biological and other data
• Assist in management of collected seasonal data including abundance, productivity, and behavioral data
• Compile data for state plover, tern, and oystercatcher census forms and assist the Field Coordinator with summary reports for specific sites on results and management activities
• Uphold high standards of data collection
• Review and proof data
• Provide feedback and clarification on field data

Communication:

• Submit daily updates on Piping Plover and Least Terns via Slack to the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation Staff
• Collaborate with field staff to ensure adequate monitoring coverage
• Communicate observations of enforcement issues directly to the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers through Slack
• Communicate with Duxbury Beach Reservation staff, Town of Duxbury staff, and public regarding  vehicle, pedestrian, and/or dog closure areas on Duxbury Beach
• Accomplish wildlife and education objectives of the Endangered Species Program

Supervisory and Administrative Tasks: 

• Attend meetings and trainings scheduled by the Field Coordinator
• Understand and abide by Duxbury Beach Rules & Regulations, the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover Certificate of Inclusion and the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan as they pertain to the daily operations of the Reservation
• Carry out related duties as required

Additional Responsibilities and Duties for Shorebird Monitor Supervisors: In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed above for both positions, the Shorebird Monitor Supervisor will also be expected to fulfill the responsibilities and duties listed below. 

Supervisory and Administrative Tasks:

• Assist in initial training of Shorebird Monitors and provide follow-up training as necessary
• Assist in determining daily assignments for Shorebird Monitors to ensure sufficient Piping Plover brood coverage
• Provide mentorship to Shorebird Monitors on field and data collection, public interaction, and other skills pertaining to their position
• Provide verbal and written feedback on Shorebird Monitor performance, and administer written or verbal warnings regarding Shorebird Monitor behavior as necessary
• Daily review of Shorebird Monitor data collection detailing daily movement of broods and chicks
• Ensure that the quality of work and data collection completed by Shorebird Monitors is up to the standard required by the Endangered Species Program with feedback and guidance provided as needed
• Conduct end-of-season performance evaluations on Shorebird Monitors
• Provide direction to Shorebird Monitors and Town of Duxbury Beach Operations staff to implement road closures during brood crossings

Communication:

• Communicate daily updates on Shorebird Monitor assignments and performance via Slack to the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff
• Daily communication with Shorebird Monitors regarding: task assignment, field assistance, assistance in road closures, etc.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications for Both Roles:

• Applicants with a B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology/management or related field, or equivalent work experience, are strongly preferred; a minimum of one year of professional experience in avian monitoring or a similar field
• Supervisory experience preferred for the Shorebird Monitor Supervisor position
• An interest or willingness to learn about the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts, Massachusetts Barrier Beach guidelines and Federal Barrier Beach guidelines
• An interest or willingness to learn about the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan
• Experience with behavioral data collection, wildlife tracking, and coastal wildlife management issues
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, subordinate employees, and the public, and the ability to carry out specific tasks as assigned by the Field Coordinator
• Experience with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 preferred (training provided)
• Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions and be able to lift and carry up to 60lbs across varied and sandy terrain
• Be prepared to work outdoors with exposure to extreme weather conditions in secluded areas; practice extreme care and safety precautions while on the job including following special safety precautions, training, and wear protective clothing such as coats, hats, sunglasses, boots, etc.
• Employees will be required to find their own housing as well as reliable transportation to and from work; use of personal vehicles may be required to access remote sections of the beach
• Employees will be required to provide their own binoculars
• Must have US work authorization

Special Requirements: 

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate related program equipment and vehicles
• Specific vision abilities required include close, medium, and distance vision, the ability to adjust focus and distinguish colors and shapes, and the ability to read pertinent documents
• Auditory demands include communicating with others on a regular basis and distinguishing between different types of bird calls
• Ability to use hands and fingers to calibrate and use field equipment such as binoculars and tablets

Supervision Received: Both the Field Technician and the Shorebird Monitor Supervisor report directly to the Duxbury Beach Reservation’s Endangered Species Program Field Coordinator, with additional direction from the Assistant Field Coordinator.