Coastal Biologist, Louisiana

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

• Hire and supervise field technicians who will conduct field work, which includes but not limited to, beach-nesting bird surveys, marshbird surveys, and habitat surveys.
• Enter quality assurance / quality control (QAQC) data and develop and conduct analyses.
• Disseminate program and project outcomes through reports and presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Assist state, regional, and national communication and outreach staff to develop and deliver compelling messages, releases, publicity and reporting about the project, both verbally and in writing.
• Periodically lead targeted bird banding efforts to advance our understanding of conservation priority coastal species. This includes leading nocturnal-drag line surveys to locate, capture, and band secretive marshbirds during the non-breeding season.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers to assist with field surveys as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including other Audubon offices and chapters, state and federal agencies, other non-governmental organizations, and community and government leaders.
• Design and implement research projects, with guidance from the Regional Senior Biologist, to understand species outcomes and improve effectiveness of monitoring, stewardship, and habitat management.
• Properly maintain field equipment, including binoculars, spotting scopes, GPS units, ATVs, trailers, and work vehicles, and keep supplies and materials organized.
• Follow safety standards for the operation of work vehicles, including automobiles, ATVs, and boats.
• Maintain permits and access agreements with state and federal partners as well as private landowners.
• Assist with grant reporting by writing reports, supporting budgeting processes, and supporting financial reporting needs.
• Assist Audubon Delta science and stewardship staff with pursuing funding opportunities including writing grants and preparing content for donor communications.
• Work with private landowners, partners, and stakeholders as necessary to accomplish conservation goals.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging principles are exemplified in our work.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field is and 5+ years of relevant experience in a similar field is required. An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.
• At least 1 year managing people and/or teams a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of bird monitoring and bird banding protocols and methods for recording, assessment, and reporting of monitoring data, including the use of electronic reporting portals (eBird).
• Must have strong organizational skills and great attention to detail.
• Basic knowledge of the identification and ecology of birds and plants of coastal Louisiana.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint required.
• Experience with statistical computing software, such as R, and geographic information systems, such as ArcGIS is desired.
• Demonstrated success managing volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with key stakeholders, such as community and agency personnel.
• Must be reliable, self-motivated, and able to work comfortably in a dynamic, non-structured environment.
• Willingness and flexibility to work nonstandard hours (early mornings, evenings, etc.) and weekends as the job demands.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on difficult terrain while maintaining a positive attitude, with or without accommodation.
• Valid driver’s license required for travel to work sites.