Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife is looking for two volunteer coordinators/research assistance for the Delaware Shorebird Project field season.
Primary responsibilities will be to recruit and manage a large volunteer team for the Delaware Shorebird Project to monitor migratory shorebird populations in the Delaware Bay. The Biological Aide is expected to assist the state shorebird biologist with coordinating and leading a team of volunteer scientists in data collection during an intense migratory period in May. Responsibilities prior to the May field season include reviewing volunteer applications, communicating with potential volunteers to develop an informed and efficient team for the field season, and developing volunteer orientation and training materials.
During the field season the Biological Aide will be expected to spend workdays based at the field house to serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers. They will be responsible for coordinating the arrival and departure logistics, assisting volunteers with paperwork and navigating the communal living environment. The Biological Aide will direct, coordinate, train and organize volunteers to perform field activities, data management, and project logistics. Additionally, the Biological Aide will also participate in fieldwork including, shorebird capture using cannon nets, weighing, measuring and marking shorebirds, and resighting marked individuals using spotting scopes. During the field season, most of the day will be spent in the field where weather conditions may be variable.
Work entails operating and trailering small boats, and walking for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment while counting and reading shorebird leg flags. The Biological Aide, will carry and use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance. The Biological Aide will work independently and must be able to work in an efficient manner with good time management. This field work requires long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours). After the field work is completed, the Biological Aide will assist with data entry, data management, and QA/QC, and prepare outreach materials for volunteers such as a field season report and social media posts.
Must be available to start this job by the beginning of April, but an earlier start date is preferred. Please note there will be no housing provided outside of the field season. Applications will be reviewed as they are received so we encourage early application.
Job Duties:
· Walk for up to 5 miles in sand or mud carrying heavy and awkward equipment.
· Use a spotting scope to distinguish colored leg bands and flags on shorebirds at a distance.
· Direct, communicate with, and organize volunteers.
· Use programs for data entry and management (i.e., GIS, Excel and Access).
· Work under instruction or independently in an efficient manner with good time management.
· Work long hours under strenuous or uncomfortable field conditions (e.g. heat and humidity, biting insects), on a flexible schedule (some extended days and weekend hours).
· Trailer and operate small boats.
· Other duties are required.
37.5 hour Schedule: Varies-— Evenings/Weekends/Holidays required
Preferred Qualifications:
· Work towards Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology/management or closely related field. Completed degree is preferred.
· Prior field work experience, especially capturing, handling, and banding wild birds.
· Experience using a spotting scope to resight color bands and/or alphanumeric coded bands/flags
· Experience using spreadsheet and spatial applications (e.g. Excel/Access, ArcGIS/Google Earth).
· Experience report writing
· Experience coordinating and leading a teams of volunteers or similar groups.
· Must have valid driving license.
· Experience trailering and operating small boats.
To learn more about the Delaware Shorebird Project, visit: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Shorebirds/Pages/default.aspx, or visit us on facebook and twitter @deshorebirds.