Job Description

Your Impact:

As a Coastal Ecologist you will be part of the Natural Resources Team who is responsible for exemplary habitat protection and management statewide including 2,000 acres of salt marsh, 26 miles of barrier beach, an exemplary beach-nesting shorebird program and more than 700 acres of barrens habitat. This will be an opportunity to learn about and participate in many of the modern stewardship challenges land managers face today, especially those being exacerbated by climate change

The Role:

As a Seasonal Coastal Ecologist, you will assist with monitoring, research, and management activities associated with several large-scale ecological restoration efforts in Eastern Massachusetts. The primary focus of the position includes collecting monitoring data at multiple locations in the Great Marsh, the largest salt marsh ecosystem in New England and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern as part of an innovative partnership to restore resiliency and habitat to the Great Marsh. This position will also include monitoring for white-tailed deer browse impacts on 15 properties as part of The Trustees program to reduce deer browse impacts and improve habitat resiliency on thousands of acres of protected land.

Specifically, you’ll:

Conduct bird surveys to document habitat quality and use on 358 acres of salt marsh including:
Surveys of breeding birds with a focus on saltmarsh sparrows following established monitoring protocols (i.e., SHARP)
Monitoring tern foraging activity
Monitoring non-breeding bird use within salt marsh restoration areas and coordinating volunteer participation as time allows
Documenting habitat characteristics for saltmarsh sparrow nest sites
Collect data for breeding mosquitoes on 90 acres of salt marsh
Collect data on salt marsh restoration projects including ditch remediation, runnels, nesting islands, and marsh pools
Provide daily oversight for seasonal interns assisting with coastal habitat and species monitoring
Analyze collected data for birds, mosquitoes, and salt marsh restoration, and complete annual reports
Survey monitoring plots for deer browse at 15 forested properties throughout eastern Massachusetts
Other tasks and duties as assigned related to the Coastal Ecology Program

This is a seasonal limited term, non-exempt position working 40 hours/per week reporting directly to the Lead Ecologist for Inland Natural Resources.
Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

Required:
At least 3 months of previous field experience (does not need to be in salt marsh)
Coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field
The ability to identify marsh feeding and breeding birds by sight and sound
The ability to identify plants
Strong verbal and written communication skills
The ability to work alone in the field or remotely as well as with volunteers and the public
The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions
The ability to perform physically strenuous duties, such as hiking up to several miles throughout a day
The ability to lift/carry up to 30 pounds
The ability to occasionally work some weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (depending upon wildlife, weather, tides, and contractor availability)
Access to private transportation, mileage will be reimbursed
Preferred experience:
Marsh-nesting bird surveys
Biological data collection and management
GPS and ArcGIS mapping and navigation
Working with volunteers and/or citizen science programs

Please submit a cover letter detailing your previous experience!

Eligibility Criteria:

Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. [if needed]

A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Tagged as: Conservation

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