Shorebird Monitor

Position Title: Shorebird Monitor
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt (not benefit eligible)
Department: Coastal Ecology Program (CEP)
Salary Range: $15.00- $16.00 hourly (based on qualifications)
Location: Duxbury Beach, MA
Hours: Variable; including weekends, evenings & holidays; 18‑40 hr/wk
Schedule: May to August; additional off‑season hours as necessary

The Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, owns approximately 4 miles of Duxbury Beach, a 7.5-mile long barrier beach that extends from Marshfield in the north to Gurnet Point and Saquish in the south. The Reservation’s mission is to protect the beach structure, preserve its ecological resources and maintain recreational access. Part of this responsibility is to maintain a Coastal Ecology Program on Duxbury Beach.

The purpose of this position is to assist in the protection of the listed species Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) and Least Tern (Sternula antillarum). The employee will perform biological field work for the Endangered Species Program, a subset of the Coastal Ecology Program. Throughout the season the employee will collect behavioral and location data on unfledged Piping Plover broods and Least Tern chicks and collect additional data according to provided protocols on the following:
Piping Plover nesting and brooding behaviors, Least Tern colony and nursery composition, predator observations, barrier use, Piping Plover brood crossing activity in roads and lots, etc. They will interact daily with the public to provide information and answer questions as necessary and communicate beach rules and regulations in a polite and professional manner. The Shorebird Monitor will help to facilitate safe plover brood travel across roadways and parking lots.

The responsibilities and duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.

Biological Field Work:

• Daily monitoring of Piping Plover broods and unfledged chicks
• Facilitate temporary road closures for safe Piping Plover brood crossings between oceanside and bayside habitats with the assistance of Shorebird Monitor Supervisors, Field Technicians, Town of Duxbury Beach Operations staff, etc.
• Identify shorebirds of the Eastern U.S
• Maintain Duxbury Beach Reservation field equipment
• With supervision, help to implement and abide by Duxbury Beach Rules & Regulations, the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover Certificate of Inclusion, and the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan

Data Collection:

• Collect and record biological data on foraging plover broods including behavioral and location observations using ArcGIS Survey
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• Collect and record data pertaining to Duxbury Beach Reservation’s Habitat Conservation Plan Certificate of Inclusion including but not limited to; visitor information, barrier use, Piping Plover road crossings, enforcement issues, etc.
• Uphold a high standard of data collection

Communication and Public Outreach:

• Attend group and individual trainings throughout the season
• Communicate Duxbury Beach Rules & Regulations to beach goers in a polite and professional manner
• Interpret Duxbury Beach environmental resources and provide information about Piping Plover and Least Tern breeding ecology
• Consistent communication with other Shorebird Monitors to ensure Piping Plover broods are adequately monitored throughout the day
• Assist other Shorebird Monitors as directed by the Monitor Supervisor(s), Field technician(s) and Program Coordinator
• Accomplish wildlife protection and education objectives of the Endangered Species Program
• Other assigned tasks

Reports directly to the Duxbury Beach Reservation’s Endangered Species Program Shorebird Monitor Supervisors who themselves report directly to the ESP’s Field Coordinator and Assistant Field Coordinator.

The Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. To apply, please…