Program: Coastal Ecology Program (CEP)             

Location: Duxbury Beach

Hours: Variable; including weekends, nights & holidays; 18-40 hr/wk

Schedule: April to September; additional off-season hours as necessary

Salary Range: $15.75 - $16.75 (based on qualifications)

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt (not benefit eligible)

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About the Organization: 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. Duxbury Beach Reservation's mission is to preserve Duxbury Beach to safeguard adjacent bays and mainland, protect wildlife and vegetation while welcoming the public to enjoy. Part of this responsibility is to maintain a Coastal Ecology Program on Duxbury Beach.  

 

Nature of Work: The purpose of this position is to assist in the protection of the listed shorebird species Piping  Plover (Charadrius melodus) and Least Tern (Sternula antillarum). Employee will perform biological field work for  the Endangered Species Program, a subset of the Coastal Ecology Program. Supervisors will assist with supervisory  and administrative tasks, including but not limited to training, scheduling, and supervising Shorebird Monitors  (Monitors) according to provided protocols on the following: predator tracking, avian community composition,  vegetation surveys etc. Interact with the public to provide information and answer questions as necessary. Communicate beach rules and regulations to beachgoers in a polite and professional manner.

 

Responsibilities and Duties: The responsibilities and duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the  various type 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: 

• Accomplish the wildlife and education objectives of the Endangered Species Program

• Nest searching and monitoring, including abundance and productivity of listed species

• Behavioral observations of pairs, broods, and chick nurseries  

• Assist Monitors in locating plover broods and tern chicks. Perform functions related to the DBR Certificate of Inclusion under the MA Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plovers, including road closures, fencing  management, and public outreach 

 

Data Collection and Communication: 

• Assist in the management of databases including abundance, productivity, and behavioral data; create GIS/Google Earth maps of coastal resources 

• Compile data for state plover, tern, and oystercatcher census forms and write summary reports for specific  sites on results and management activities  

• Daily review of Monitor data collection detailing daily movement of broods and chicks

• Submit daily updates via email, text message, or phone call to the Program Coordinator, other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff, and Town of Duxbury staff with observations and recommendations, including a  request for a face-to-face meeting if an issue needs to be resolved 

• Communicate with Duxbury Beach Reservation staff, Town of Duxbury staff, and public regarding motor vehicle, pedestrian or dog closure areas on Duxbury Beach. Communicate issues to Town of Duxbury Beach Operations staff

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Supervisory and Administrative Tasks:

•  Assist in initial training of Shorebird Monitors (Monitors) and provide follow-up training as necessary,  collaborate with Monitors to ensure plover monitor coverage and supervision, assist Program Coordinator  and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff in identifying vulnerable nesting sites and broods

• Develop weekly Monitor schedules and assign daily brood assignments 

• Supervise all Monitors throughout the season, provide clear expectations regarding appearance and  responsibilities; assist Monitors in locating broods 

• Attend meetings and trainings scheduled by the Program Coordinator 

• Provide frequent performance related feedback, and conduct end of season performance evaluations

• Understand 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

• Carry out related duties as required

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Recommended Minimum Qualifications: 

• Applicants with a B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology/management or related field, or equivalent work experience, are strongly preferred. A minimum of two years professional experience in avian monitoring or a similar field  

• Supervisory experience preferred 

• Thorough understanding of Federal and State Endangered Species Acts, Massachusetts Barrier Beach  guidelines and Federal Barrier Beach guidelines. Behavioral data collection and management skills, wildlife tracking and coastal wildlife management issues 

• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, subordinate employees, the public, and ability to carry out specific tasks as assigned by the Program Coordinator required 

• Interest or willingness to learn about the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan ∙ Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions and be able to lift and carry up to 60lbs across varied and sandy terrain 

• Be prepared to work outdoors with exposure to extreme weather conditions in secluded areas. Practice extreme care and safety precautions while on the job including following special safety precautions, training, and wear protective clothing such as coats, hats, sunglasses, boots, etc. 

• Monitor Supervisors will be required to find their own housing as well as reliable transportation to and from work. Use of personal vehicles may be required to access remote sections of the beach.  

• Monitor Supervisors will be required to provide their own binoculars

 

Special Requirements: Valid Driver’s License and ability to operate related program equipment and vehicles. Specific  vision abilities required include close, medium, and distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus and distinguish  colors and shapes. Visual demands include reading documents and routinely reviewing non-written materials such  as instrumentation for analytical purposes. Auditory demands include communicating with others on a regular basis  and distinguishing between different types of bird calls. Ability to use hands and fingers to calibrate and use field  equipment such as binoculars and tablets. 

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Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Coastal Ecology Program Coordinator under the general supervision  of the Duxbury Beach Reservation’s Assistant Director. Required to communicate routinely with the CEP Field  Technicians and Town of Duxbury Beach Operations staff.

 

Supervisory Responsibility: Responsible for the supervision and scheduling Monitors. Employee, as a regular and  continuing part of the job, is accountable for the quality and quantity of work done by Monitors and assures the  accomplishment of the assigned work in the prescribed manner. Supervisory tasks typically consist of most of the  following: plans, schedules and coordinates work operations to meet schedules, deadlines and priorities; revises  work schedules to meet changes in workload or availability of manpower; recommends and justifies to higher levels  of management changes in the organization of work, work methods or assignment of functions to positions that  may affect staffing patterns, costs, work standards, etc.; assures that completed work meets the required standard  of quality, timeliness and cost, taking corrective actions as necessary; oversees attendance and leave, typically  including approval or ordinary sick and vacation schedules; advises employees or performance requirements and  prepares formal evaluations of performance; resolves employee complaints and effects disciplinary actions, oral  warnings and reprimands.

 

How to Apply: The Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. To apply,  please fill out a job application by going to https://duxburybeach.bamboohr.com/jobs/. Your application will not  be processed without completion/receipt of the items above. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as  possible, as interviews will begin in January. If you have any questions about the position or application process, please email careers@duxburybeachreservation.org with “Shorebird Monitor Supervisor 2022” in the subject line.

 

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.