Field Technician - Bird Banding

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position
This position involves working with the Bird Banding Manager (permitted master bander) to help with all aspects of operating the seasonal, constant-effort mist netting banding station on Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1,100-acre coastal wildlife sanctuary in South Wellfleet, MA. Each spring (April 13-June 3), one Field Technician will help run the Wellfleet Bay banding station seven days a week, weather permitting, and help oversee several volunteers. They will lead or co-lead several public banding demonstrations for school groups and adult audiences.

Shared housing is available at $30.00-35.00 per week.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume, cover letter (to include the number of birds processed), and three references with your ADP application.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preseason inventory of all gear and maintain net lane vegetation working with Property Manager
• Open nets each day and take them down at the end of banding
• With banding assistants and select volunteers, conduct frequent net runs to remove all birds and bring them back to station for processing
• Place federal aluminum bands on birds and collect various morphometric, weight, and other data on the bird’s condition before release
• Help supervise a small number of volunteers who help scribe data and eventually, when comfortable, remove birds from nets and handle them during processing
• Maintain effective communication about all job activities with Science Coordinator, Bird Banding Manager, and other external team members and support staff
• Provide photos to Marketing and Outreach Coordinator and post photos to social media accounts
• Conduct banding demonstrations for adults and children in coordination with our Education Department

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Experience removing songbirds from mist nets, banding them, and collecting morphometric data; please indicate in your cover letter how many birds you have processed
• Strong familiarity with identification of eastern US songbirds required
• Demonstrated experience utilizing judgment in field-based wildlife research and management projects
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to lift approximately 50lbs, and be in good physical condition to allow for long days in the field
• Willing to work weekends and holidays, weather permitting
• Access to own vehicle and a reliable phone

Nice to Haves

• B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field, or equivalent experience preferred

Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay range is $17.37-$19.54/hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This is not a benefits eligible position.

Work Schedule
Seven days per week, weather permitting, up to 40 hours per week.

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.