Position Information
Title: Avian Studies Coordinator
Organization: El Observatorio de Aves Jama-Coaque, Third Millennium Alliance
Location: Reserva Jama-Coaque, Manabí (between Jama and Pedernales)
Openings: 1-2 positions available
Dates: Mid-October 2018, minimum 1-year contract
Summary
Third Millennium Alliance’s (TMA’s) mission is to preserve the last remnants of Pacific Forests in Ecuador and to empower local communities to restore what has been lost. We achieve these goals through a conservation framework of science, education, partnerships, and communication at local, regional, national, and international levels. In January 2017, TMA opened El Observatorio de Aves Jama-Coaque (OAJC) as their flagship research program to help fulfill its mission. The role of OAJC Avian Studies Coordinators is two-fold: (1) to facilitate empowering educational experiences for OAJC visitors (interns, researchers, students, community members) and (2) to conduct meaningful scientific research. Daily routines typically revolve around early-morning field work studying birds with relaxed afternoons spent reviewing data, planning projects, or discussing scientific literature. Work schedule is Monday-Friday with weekends free.
Responsibilities and duties
· Managing field operations and logistics of research projects.
· Leading hands-on field experiences for interns, students, and bander trainees.
· Facilitating group discussions of research advances, techniques, and primary literature.
· Upholding rigorous data collection and entry standards.
· Facilitating class and researcher visits.
· Co-leading community outreach and capacity-building events.
· Fostering a welcoming and comfortable living environment in Reserva Jama-Coaque.
· Assisting interns with independent projects that may fall outside the field of ornithology.
Qualifications
· Bilingual in Spanish and English.
· B.S. or M.S. in biology, natural resources, environmental science, or related field preferred.
· Certified/licensed bird bander (not restricted to any given country/program)
· Physically fit – able to quickly and safely hike through steep, tropical terrain with field gear.
· Passionate about avian studies, conservation, and field work.
· Positive attitude, independent, and experience leading others in a team environment.
· Willing to live in a remote (semi-off-grid) setting, i.e. the Jama-Coaque Reserve.
· First-aid/CPR certified preferred but not required
Benefits
· All room and board is provided year-round in Reserva Jama-Coaque. Selected applicant(s) will have essentially no living expenses apart from their weekends and breaks.
· Minimum 6-8 weeks paid vacation/year (1 week every two months + major holidays).
· Competitive salary dependent on applicant qualifications and health insurance.
· Possible opportunities to participate in additional research projects in Jama-Coaque, Andes, Amazon.
Applying
Applicants are encouraged to learn more about TMA on our website (tmalliance.org). Interested parties should address any inquiries/questions to TMA’s Director of Research, Mike Ellis (mike[at]tmalliance.org). To apply, please submit a 1-page cover letter, CVs/résumés and contact information for 3 references as a single pdf to mike[at]tmalliance.org and info[at]tmalliance.org by12:00AM September 20, 2017.