Duxbury Beach Reservation is hiring seasonal Shorebird Monitors for the 2021 field season! As many of you know, two parts of the Duxbury Beach Reservation’s mission is to preserve the ecological resources on the beach and maintain recreational access. The Coastal Ecology Program is an important part of accomplishing these goals. Through the Endangered Species Program, a subset of the Coastal Ecology Program, DBR hires seasonal field staff to assist in the management of nesting piping plovers and least terns in accordance with the Reservation’s Certificate of Inclusion (COI) in the statewide Piping Plover Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). While the hiring process is already underway, we are still looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our field team!
You may be asking yourself: what does a Shorebird Monitor do? Our Shorebird Monitors’ primary responsibility is to collect behavioral and location data on unfledged piping plover chicks throughout the beach. They also assist young chicks in safely crossing the road by temporarily stopping vehicle traffic until the brood (or family of piping plovers) has reached their bayside or oceanside foraging habitats. Besides closely monitoring their assigned broods during their shifts our Shorebird Monitors also engage with beach goers, talking to them about piping plover ecology, educating about rules and regulations surrounding shorebird management, and answering general beach questions in a polite and professional manner. A complete job description for the Shorebird Monitor position can be found Here.
Anyone who is interested in working outdoors is encouraged to apply! Interested applicants should have a love of the outdoors and be prepared to walk a several miles during their shifts, in all types of weather conditions. Our Shorebird Monitors are also expected to work weekends, including holidays. While some shifts can be hot, humid and buggy, the antics of these tiny “cottonballs” certainly make up for it! Where else can you observe a listed species grow from a tiny newly hatched chick to a strong and independent fledgling, all while enjoying a beach you know and love?
If this type of work appeals to you or someone you know, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Positions start in mid-May and continue through late August, ideal for college students, teachers, retirees, and anyone that enjoys spending their summers on the beach. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply here or by following the link in the job description on our website. Questions about the position can be to careers@duxburybeachreservation.org.
