Opportunity

Ocean Career: Shorebird Biologist at Manomet

Manomet is seeking a Shorebird Biologist, within our Science Department, to expand our Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network program.

This is a 14-month, full-time position, reporting to the Senior Shorebird Scientist, responsible for building shorebird conservation coalitions at key sites in the coastal region of Texas. Read more about the Coalition for Shorebird Conservation.

The three key objectives of this position are:

  • Collaborate with stakeholders for the nomination of new WHSRN sites in Texas;
  • Expand our understanding of the stopover habitat requirements of Whimbrel AND Buff-breasted Sandpipers, for more targeted conservation implementation;
  • Elevate our understanding of shorebird migration in Texas, with an expansion of our volunteer Shorebird Monitoring Network, the International Shorebird Survey.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Work with conservation organizations in the Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas, to undertake the following for each area important for Buff-breasted Sandpipers and/or Whimbrel:

  • Identify key landowners, management authorities, and other stakeholders;
  • Undertake a scoping exercise to assess threats and understand existing levels of protection, management structures, and plans, and current conservation actions;
  • Engage with landowners, management authorities, and local communities to seek support for WHSRN nominations (provided through a commitment letter submitted with the technical nomination);
  • Work with local partners to develop technical nominations for WHSRN site status;
  • Assess opportunities to improve management for shorebirds at the nominated WHSRN sites, including through integrating approaches for shorebirds with management for other species of concern (e.g. Whooping Crane, waterfowl).

Work to stabilize and increase Whimbrel populations migrating through the region through the following activities:

    • Conduct research, filling knowledge gaps to determine daily use patterns and habitat resource needs of spring and fall staging Whimbrel in Texas.
    • Engage and encourage coalition partnerships within state and federal agencies, other non-governmental organizations, and private conservation entities interested in implementing wetland and waterbird conservation initiatives.
    • Build on our current relationship with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in the Gulf region to include Texas, and seek other partnerships with agricultural collectives and cooperatives already engaged with the farming communities in the region such as state extension agents, Texas Farm Bureau, industry leaders, and municipalities.
    • Conduct a scoping exercise to understand existing conservation organizations, agencies, relationships, and projects as currently engaged with the agricultural communities in the region to help promote the conservation benefits of adjusting current management practices.
    • Identify agriculture and aquaculture producers with significant operations and collaborate with them to understand the barriers and motivators to implementing best management practices to increase shorebird habitat.
    • Mentor implementation of best management practices by producers.

Expand coverage of the International Shorebird Survey (ISS) in Texas through a one-time analysis to identify critical sites, and to recruit volunteers to conduct surveys. This will involve:

      • Identify important shorebird sites in Texas using current and historical data, and results from related studies
      • Establish ISS survey routes
      • Recruit volunteers to survey the routes
      • Provide feedback to volunteers to help maintain their involvement

BACKGROUND

Manomet uses science and collaboration to strengthen bird migration routes, coastal ecosystems, and working lands and seas across the Western Hemisphere. For over 50 years, we have formed vital partnerships with businesses, producers, and educators, to help nature and local communities thrive.

Manomet is a leader in shorebird conservation and monitoring. We are looking for a full-time biologist to be based in Texas to join our team to identify and build protection for critical sites for shorebirds, advance ongoing conservation efforts on two high priority species, Whimbrel and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, and develop improved migration monitoring to track conservation success. We will be bringing Manomet’s full suite of conservation tools and staff expertise into play, based on the importance of the state and region for shorebirds. We are seeking an individual to be based in Texas who can be the liaison for Manomet, working collaboratively with local partners, delivering conservation mechanisms, and reversing declining trends in priority shorebird populations as well as important habitat.

Manomet has several mechanisms for bringing conservation to the ground where shorebirds need it most. For Texas, we plan on using the following initiatives: 1) The International Shorebird Survey (ISS) has been our first step in understanding shorebird migration “hot-spots” since its inception in 1974. More recently ISS data have been used nationally and internationally to understand shorebird population trends, and guides us on where to focus conservation efforts. 2) Our long-term research efforts on priority species have been, and will continue to be important to inform our work in Texas. 3) Our Coalitions approach is based on building local partner capacity to recognize key threats, and then working collaboratively with partners, using the best science and land management techniques to alleviate those threats by restoring the ecological integrity of the habitats that support the birds. 4) The Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) is another key tool we use. WHSRN is a science-based, partnership-driven, conservation initiative for protecting critical areas for shorebirds throughout the Americas. Currently there are 112 WHSRN sites in 18 countries, with over 430 partners helping to protect over 38 million acres of shorebird habitat. We propose to expand the Network by adding at least two additional sites in Texas, where many important sites have not yet been designated.

QUALIFICATIONS

(Minimum education, experience, skills required to perform the job)

      • B.S. in Biology, Environmental Science, or related field
      • Knowledge of shorebird identification and behavior
      • Familiarity with Texas Gulf Coast habitats
      • Strong interpersonal skills,
      • Ability to work independently

Salary range: $19 – $22 hr.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

(Physical demands that must be met in order to complete the essential functions of the job successfully)

Must be able to travel (as Covid restrictions allow), sometimes extensively on flights and ground transportation. Should be capable of walking long distances in a variety of coastal substrates, including sand, mud, marsh, and shallow water.

Manomet is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email your resume and cover letter as attachments to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please reference the job title in the subject line. The position is available immediately and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by October 31, 2021.

Manomet offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive package of benefits. Manomet is an equal opportunity employer.

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