Tern Colony Site Manager (Massachusetts)

MassWildlife is committed to a diverse, inclusive workforce and a supportive work culture. We encourage all individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

The Tern Colony Site Manager restores endangered terns to Buzzards Bay through an intensive program of protection, management, and monitoring at the key nesting islands.

Specific duties include:

Protection and censusing colonies of Common and endangered Roseate Terns, and Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.

• Monitoring tern growth and productivity; trapping and banding adult and chicks; participating in other studies as needed.
• Reading bands on adults through spotting scopes.
• Discouragement of nesting gulls.
• Predator control and habitat management.
• Scheduling and supervision of seasonal interns and predator control technician.
• Maintaining field notebooks, data management, and writing an end-of-season report.
• BIRD/RAM ISLANDS: Operation of outboard motorboats in marine environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong work ethic, willingness to learn, initiative, attention to detail, desire to be part of a dedicated team, ability to live and work cooperatively and harmoniously with others as well as working independently, being comfortable working outside most of the day, and good physical condition are critical
• Previous coursework in the biological or environmental sciences
• Experience supervising field personnel
• Experience banding birds
• Experience handling outboard motorboats in the marine environment
• Willingness to work at night when required
• Willingness to use personal vehicle

Comments:

Fieldwork will be conducted in Southeastern Massachusetts at BIRD ISLAND, Marion, RAM ISLAND, Mattapoisett in Buzzards Bay. Work on weekends and holidays is expected. During the field season, incumbents will be expected to work on an irregular 6 day/week schedule, traveling to and from the islands daily by boat. Housing available: crew housing on mainland will be provided. No benefits are included – except earned sick leave.

Anticipated Start/End Dates: April 27 – July 13, 2025 (11 weeks)

Salary: $22.00/hr

Anticipated Hours per Week: 48