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Job Title: Avian Habitat Ecologist
Pay Rate: $3500-3800/month
Employment Length: 9 months (July/August 2009 – March/April 2010), with potential to extend
Hours/Benefits: Full time with competitive benefits
Application deadline: 06/01/2009 or until filled
PRBO Background
PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO) advances conservation through avian ecology and ecosystem research. PRBO is a rapidly growing, non-profit organization with expertise in avian ecology, population biology, spatial ecology, ecosystem science, conservation applications (including endangered species recovery, land and ocean management, ecological restoration, inventory and monitoring, and policy) as well as public education. PRBO plays a lead role nationally and internationally in applying bird and ecosystem studies to address critical conservation issues. For additional information, see www.prbo.org.
Background
Hemispherically-significant proportions of Pacific Flyway shorebird and waterbird populations concentrate in California during migration and in winter. There has been extensive habitat loss and degradation, with less than 10% of California’s historic wetlands remaining. Managed wetlands and flooded agricultural fields continue to support abundant bird populations, yet conservation and management efforts need to be improved to address historic losses.
Central Valley riparian habitat is known to support a diverse population of neotropical songbirds. However, over the past 150 years, riparian habitat has dramatically declined - current estimates of the remaining riparian habitat in the Central Valley range from 2% to 7%, depending on geographic region. The loss of riparian habitat may be the leading cause of population declines among land bird species in western North America.
To better understand how to improve management actions and conservation strategies for aquatic and riparian birds in California, particularly the Central Valley, priority research and monitoring projects identified through the Central Valley Joint Venture and the Migratory Bird Conservation Partnership need to be initiated.
Avian Habitat Ecologist
PRBO’s Avian Habitat Ecologist will assist in the design and implementation of shorebird, waterbird, and riparian monitoring and research efforts in California, primarily the Central Valley. Responsibilities of this position will include: 1) collaborating with PRBO and partner organization ecologists to design and implement priority monitoring and research projects, 2) ensuring data is entered into data management systems within PRBO and summarized as necessary for analyses and data visualization, 3) conducting statistical analyses of existing and newly-collected data, 4) preparing reports and manuscripts when needed, 4) serving as a liaison to other organizations coordinating citizen scientists for the projects herein, and 5) training citizen scientists in field data collection techniques. The successful candidate must work well with a team of collaborators as well as take independent initiative, have at least basic quantitative skills, and have a background in avian ecology, ideally with field experience with aquatic birds. MS preferred, but BS with solid foundation of applicable work experience will also be considered.
Responsibilities
Project design, management and coordination - The Avian Habitat Ecologist will help identify and initiate high priority research and monitoring projects relevant to conservation of migratory birds primarily in the Central Valley. For those projects, this position will help lead project design (site selection, sampling, determination of appropriate metrics), management (people and data), and coordination (within PRBO and with partners). This position will also help ensure that project level data is integrated into broader scale monitoring projects by PRBO and partners.
Data management, analysis and synthesis - The Avian Habitat Ecologist will be responsible for data entry and summary and quality control of data that are collected by others. Scientific writing skills will be needed. Monitoring projects will need to dovetail with a foundation of spatial analyses and population and habitat modeling within PRBO and the bird conservation community.
Training, outreach, and development - The Avian Habitat Ecologist will be responsible for training of citizen scientists in identification and data collection techniques, as necessary. They also will help serve as a liaison with partner organizations who are engaging and coordinating citizen scientists. The Avian Habitat Ecologist will present results of research, monitoring, and conservation efforts at various forums, including scientific conferences, technical committees, and conservation group meetings. Finally, the position will work with a team of collaborators (internal and external) to help raise funds for high priority research and monitoring activities.
Qualifications
- M.S. in ecology, natural resource sciences, conservation biology, ornithology, wildlife management, landscape ecology, or BS/A and significant work experience
- Demonstrated skills with field data collection techniques, data management, sampling design, and statistical analyses
- GIS capabilities desirable
- Avian research and ecological monitoring experience, including ability to estimate large flock size of shorebirds and waterbirds, conduct breeding ecology studies, as well as conduct point counts for landbirds
- Knowledge of shorebird habitat management and conservation challenges
- Experience working with partners including government agencies and NGOs
- Solid writing skills (scientific, popular, and grant-writing)
- Outstanding communication (including presentations and training), coordination, and leadership skills
Applicants must be at least in moderate physical condition, as long hours in field will be required and some hiking may be involved to access sites. Ability to work independently and coordinate with a team is necessary. Applicants should have a good attitude toward working closely with the rice growing and duck hunting communities and other private land owners.
Pay Rate, Benefits, Working Conditions and Funding
Pay Rate range is $3500-$3800 per month. PRBO offers 100% health care coverage, full dental care, and partial coverage of dependents including domestic partners, per the conditions stated in PRBO’s Personnel Manual. PRBO headquarters are in Petaluma, California, but likely the position will need to be based out of the northern Central Valley. This position requires a good deal of travel to field sites and meetings, and involves some evenings and weekends. Funding is secured for 9 months - longer term employment is possible through this position and will be based on continuation of funding and employee’s performance.
To Apply
E-mail (1) cover letter describing qualifications for this position and interest in PRBO, (2) complete CV/resume, and (3) contact information (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses) for 3 references to Catherine Hickey at chickey@prbo.org with "Avian Habitat Ecologist" in the subject line. Applicants may be subject to background checks. Application deadline is June 01, 2009, though position will remain open until a successful candidate has been identified. PRBO is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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