In order to meet its long-term objective to have 1,000,000 acres of bird-friendly agriculture supported in California, the Migratory Bird Initiative is increasing its efforts to implement new projects that demonstrate compatible agricultural practices. Many of these innovations for compatible agricultural techniques are yet untested, and the Avian Monitoring Technician will assist in quantifying the biological value of these techniques on Staten Island, CA and on other private and public land throughout the Central Valley. Specific duties may include the following functions:

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Set up fields for monitoring. Includes wading into flooded areas and pounding in depth stakes
• Conduct visual surveys of birds, focusing on western waterbirds, including waterfowl, shorebirds, and long-legged waders.
• Conduct visual surveys of pertinent habitat features at survey sites.
• Communicate with rural landowners and/or farm managers.
• Possible invertebrate and grain sampling in working lands.
• Complete, accurate, and clear record-keeping of field survey observations.
• Possible overnight travel to other field sites in California.
• Possible assistance with preserve management tasks.
• Maintain project records.               
• Must work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances and extreme heat 
• Require starting some workdays before sunrise
• Require minor physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• Present occasional possibility of injury
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions (both hot and cold) 
• Require long hours in isolated settings