Coastal Waterbird Program Assistant Field Coordinator

About Mass Audubon Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org. About This Position Mass Audubon is seeking to fill a seasonal Assistant Field Coordinator position to conduct research, monitoring, management, and protection of coastal birds and other natural resources, and to train and supervise staff and volunteers in these activities. This will be a largely field-based position with 4-5 days of fieldwork per week with 1-2 days of office support, depending on regional field support needs. Work will be primarily conducted on Cape Cod, with occasional travel to other coastal regions throughout the state (North Shore, Boston, South Shore, Buzzards Bay, and Islands) to assist field crews in those locations. This position reports to the Coastal Waterbird Program Field Coordinator and Program Manager. Housing options may be available depending on location and availability. For more information, visit Application Instructions Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references with your ADP application. In addition, please ensure that you answer the questions at the start of the ADP application form to assist the hiring team in determining prospective work locations and housing needs based on location. Your application will not be processed without completion and receipt of the items above. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will begin in January and positions will be filled by February 13, 2026. Responsibilities Coordinate and support Coastal Waterbird Program field crews and volunteers to meet research, wildlife management and education objectives of the program Train and supervise field crews and volunteers in collection and management of biological data on nesting, foraging and migrating species of coastal waterbirds; accomplish the wildlife management objectives of the Coastal Waterbird Program including protocols for predator and vegetation management; train and supervise staff to accomplish education objectives, including landowners and managers, community groups, and the public Provide additional field and monitoring support in different regions as needed on a flexible basis Play a key role in regional contracted projects such as beach renourishment monitoring, beach raking operations, and other state approved coastal zone improvement projects Accomplish the wildlife management and education objectives of the Coastal Waterbird Program Establish and cultivate relationships with public and private landowners, and with beach managers on regional beaches; educate beachgoers about coastal wildlife protection daily May lead formal educational sessions with CWP staff and the public Lead daily informal educational interactions with beachgoers 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 Supervise and conduct research on special projects as directed Qualifications At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications: Must Haves At least 21 years of age B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology/management, ecology, zoology, environmental science, or related field, or equivalent experience, as well as 6 to 12 months of previous supervisory experience 6 to 12 months of prior experience with piping plover/tern/avian field monitoring, data collection and management required Demonstrated experience utilizing judgment in field-based wildlife research and management projects Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing Kayaking experience and comfort training staff on kayaking techniques and safety. Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions Must be able to lift and carry up to 40lbs across varied and sandy terrain Must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and irregular hours (dependent upon wildlife and weather) Must have access to a personal vehicle for daily driving between sites Nice to Haves Small boat-handling experience Experience in behavioral data collection, band-reading, wildlife tracking, coastal wildlife management issues, and GIS mapping Compensation, Benefits and Perks This position's pay range is $21.50-$23.00/hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This position is eligible for health insurance benefits. Shared staff housing may be available for rent in some locations. Housing is available on a first come, first serve basis. Seasonal housing is for the employee only. No pets are allowed except for an approved service animal. Work Schedule This position starts on March 9, 2026 and ends on September 30, 2026. The schedule is typically 40 hours per week, 8:00am-4:00pm with some earlier days (6:00am-2:00pm) and later days (10:00am-6:00pm) required for special monitoring projects and training. Work on weekends and holidays is common (specifically Memorial Day and Fourth of July), with variable hours and schedule due to weather and site-specific requirements. Other Requirements Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check. A Motor Vehicle Record Check may be required if applicable. Staff members must complete all designated training sessions throughout the season, as applicable to their responsibilities. Mass Audubon's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Mass Audubon's mission is to "protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife" by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Created: 2026-03-04