Audubon Texas seeks Seasonal Coastal Bird Biologist

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.

Position Summary

Audubon Texas seeks an applicant to assist their coastal program with bird surveys and engagements around their coastal program centennial celebration. This position will work report to the Coastal Program Senior Manager and work with both the conservation and public affairs teams. This position will complete bird surveys in priority coastal counties, participate in community engagement events, develop communications content, and assisting with cross-program needs. This position is designed to provide a range of programmatic and communications experiences focusing on issues facing coastal birds in Texas. The position is a part-time position from October 2023 through April 2024, with a time frame that can be adapted to meet a variety of academic schedules, weather, and needs.

Location: This position is remote, working across the Texas coast from Galveston down to Brownsville.

Compensation: 

$17.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Complete bird surveys at priority coastal sites in Matagorda Bay
• Participate in coastal Christmas Bird Counts and other community birding events as a bird expert
• Coordinate and attend coastal bird festivals on behalf of Audubon Texas in Galveston and Palacious. Including guiding bird walks, hosting outreach booths, and presenting on priority Audubon Texas topics (Lights Out Texas, Bird City Texas, Coastal Stewardship) as needed
• Help coordinate and attend coastal clean-ups on Audubon-managed islands.
• Draft articles, webpage pages, social media content, and other outreach materials to support Audubon Texas’s coastal program, Lights Out Texas, and other initiatives as needed.
• Solicit feedback from partners to assist with the update and creation of Bird City Texas and Lights Out Texas resources that align with Audubon brand guidelines and are highly accessible.
• Work with the International Dark Sky Association, Defenders of Wildlife, and National Audubon Society to develop talking points and one-pagers for Lights Out Texas with an inclusive mindset for marginalized communities.
• Gather and compose summaries for Audubon Texas’s annual impact report.
• Work with the Engagement Manager to craft a visionary goal-setting plan with Lights Out.
• Become familiar with Lights Out Texas enough to give presentations virtually or in person for events, festivals, chapters, universities, schools, the private sector, and more.
• Assist with the advancement of Bird City Texas, including but not limited to participating in the fall workshop, providing input and actions on the new website, soliciting feedback from partners, and crafting a resource guide.

Qualifications and Experience

Personal Attributes:

• Self-starter and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong work ethic.
• Appetite for learning and growth.’
• Believes in the mission to protect birds and the spaces they need for now and the future through human connection, conservation, and policy.

Primary Qualifications:

• Working toward or recently received a bachelor’s or higher degree in environmental studies, natural resources, ecology, or a related field.
• Able to work from a small boat (16 ft.) in variable weather and sea conditions.
• Familiarity with and basic identification skills of coastal birds in Texas.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Able to take photos and create social media posts.
• Ability to work outdoors in various challenging settings, including high heat and very buggy conditions.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Strong organizational skills, strong time management skills, and the ability to coordinate a large group of people will be essential to success in this position.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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