Rooftop Seabird Field Technician

Position Summary

Audubon Florida seeks a Seasonal Rooftop Seabird Field Technician to support nesting season seabird conservation on rooftops throughout the Florida Panhandle. Rooftop nesting seabirds are primarily Least Terns but may also include Black Skimmers, and Gull-billed Terns. The Rooftop Seabird Field Technician will work in a five-county region of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay.

The Field Technician will help with rooftop colony conservation including fencing rooftops, finding and monitoring roof colonies, conducting emergency chick retrieval and assisting with volunteer coordination. This is a part-time seasonal position, scheduled for 25 hours a week (including some holidays and weekends), with an expected start date of April 22, 2024, tentative end date of August 18, 2024, and will be based out of the Santa Rosa County area.

Compensation:

$15.00-$19.00 / hour based on experience

Essential Functions

Under the guidance of the Panhandle Stewardship Coordinator, Field Technician will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Survey the Panhandle’s historic rooftop nesting sites to determine whether they are active during the nesting season.
• Engage with and support the owners of buildings with rooftop colonies.
• Work with property managers to “chick proof” rooftops prior to the nesting season.
• Organize volunteers to do routine building site visits of rooftop colonies to provide updates, as well as collect fallen chicks and return them to rooftops.
• Respond to or coordinate volunteer response to time-sensitive calls regarding fallen chicks at rooftop colonies.
• Responsible for timely data entry and reporting.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, or related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with field work, as well as familiarity with the Florida Panhandle region.
• Knowledge of and experience identifying various seabird species.
• Must be comfortable working on rooftops at various building heights.
• Ability to safely drive long distances in assigned work vehicle.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate clearly to various audiences.
• A detailed approach to work, one who possesses good judgment and strong integrity with work products.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite required.
• Experience with or leading volunteer groups strongly preferred.
• A flexible approach to work; must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to work some weekends and holidays.
• Comfort working in outside, variable conditions, such as rooftops.
• Must be able to move 30 lbs. with or without accommodation.