Seabird Island Supervisor – Maine

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Agency

Audubon Seabird Institute

Location

Maine coast islands

Job Category

Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Salary

$575-650/week (depending on site assignment and experience), plus food and accommodations

Last Date to Apply

02/21/2022

Description

7 positions available. Positions begin as early as May 2 (start dates in May are variable by island) and end between August 20 and September 10. Audubon's Seabird Institute manages seven island research stations off the coast of Maine, each of which is led by an Island Supervisor. Study species vary by island, but include Arctic, Common, Roseate, and Least Terns, Atlantic Puffins, Black Guillemots, Razorbills, Laughing Gulls, Common Eiders, Leach’s Storm-Petrels, and wading birds. Work includes, but is not limited to: Managing multiple concurrent seabird research projects; training and supervising Research Assistants, interns, and volunteers; creating daily work schedules; monitoring seabird populations, productivity, and growth; conducting seabird diet studies; banding and resighting birds; removing invasive vegetation; educating island visitors; conducting predator management; data entry and proofing; camp maintenance; coordinating logistics with mainland staff; and preparing a final season report. Island field teams consist of 2 to 5 people (depending on island and time of year) and are led by the Island Supervisor. All field team members participate in seabird research and camp maintenance duties. Living conditions on the islands are rustic; at each island, a cabin or wall tent serves as the base of field operations, and field team members sleep in their own tents. Island field stations have limited electricity (solar panels power research needs), propane stoves, composting toilets, and no running water. Field teams will spend the entire field season living on island. Those working on inshore islands (3 of the 7 islands) may have the ability to go ashore (about every 3 weeks) to procure food and supplies for the field station. Inshore Island Supervisors must possess a valid driver’s license, and a personal vehicle is desirable. On offshore islands, food and supplies will be delivered approximately every three weeks, and supervisors are responsible for submitting a grocery/supply list prior to scheduled deliveries.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field and several seasons of experience with avian fieldwork. Must be in excellent physical condition (capable of climbing over rugged terrain and slippery rocks and able to lift approximately 50 lbs.) and have wilderness camping experience. Bird banding experience is required. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to get along with people of diverse backgrounds. Capable of working long hours outdoors in variable weather conditions. Comfortable on the water in small boats; rowing experience is helpful. For supervisors on inshore islands, experience operating small motorboats is required, and a personal vehicle may be necessary for these positions. Supervisors on offshore islands will not operate motorboats. Experience with the following: spotting scopes, binoculars, bird banding equipment, camping equipment (e.g. tents, composting toilets, etc), basic hand tools (e.g. hammer, drill driver, etc). A sense of humor, dedication to wildlife conservation, and passion for seabirds and isolated islands. Desirable: Previous experience leading and training field crews; Experience with predator control, hunting, and/or trapping; Experience with the following: outboard engine care/basic maintenance, solar power systems, and VHF radios. Must provide own binoculars, tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. To Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references with contact information to [email protected] and include position applying for in the subject line.

Contact Person

Paula Shannon

Contact eMail

[email protected]

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