Natural Resources Job Board

Lead a crew of 4-5 field technicians to monitor and manage beach nesting birds, including piping plover, American oystercatcher, least tern, black skimmer, common tern, and royal tern at the Holgate and Little Beach Units of the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR and Horseshoe Island from ~ April 1 - August 31 (with potential opportunity for a short extension). Locate breeding pairs, find nests, determine nest outcomes, and track chicks to fledgling stage. Weekly colony counts. Additional surveys of habitat quality and predators are also completed. Band resighting is a daily part of job. Field data is collected electronically using a phone-based app. Crew leader will oversee data entry, mapping, and reporting to stakeholders, both during the season and for the preparation of a final report.  Crew leader will report to and communicate with a CWFNJ senior biologist/project leader on a (near) daily basis, as well as more periodically with USFWS staff at the NWR for whom the project is undertaken. Crew leader will conduct daily scheduling of the crew and assist with training, as applicable. May participate in some bird banding, but it is not a primary or frequent part of the job. The sites are closed to the public so outreach is not part of the daily tasks, but interactions with public/boaters at Horseshoe Island is expected. 

Degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, or related and previous field experience with shorebirds, preferably a breeding project, is required. Previous crew leading experience is a big plus. Good communication skills. Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. Tolerance to work in sometimes harsh conditions - hot, buggy, walking long distances in soft sand. Must have reliable transportation. Must use a personal smart phone during work to collect field data. Transport to sites is typically by boat in a coastal marine environment. Free housing is available. Must be available to work periodic weekend days from June-August. Submit letter of interest, resume, and 3 references to Todd Pover at todd.pover@conservewildlifenj.org.