Seasonal Bird Collision Monitor
NOTE: This position has been filled. Please keep an eye on our Jobs webpage for positions that are currently open.
NYC Bird Alliance seeks three part-time Seasonal Collision Monitors to assist with monitoring buildings for bird collisions with windows. These positions will run from mid-March to early June, and again from mid-August through mid-November, 2024.
Up to one quarter of a million birds die due to window collisions in New York City each year. The Seasonal Collision Monitor position is an exciting opportunity to reduce bird collisions and to get involved in urban biodiversity research with one of the City’s leading conservation organizations.
View PDF version of this job listing here.
View PDF version of this job listing here.
About NYC Bird Alliance
Founded in 1979, NYC Bird Alliance works for the protection of wild birds and habitat in the five boroughs, improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. NYC Bird Alliance’s conservation and science activities, education and public programs, and advocacy and outreach efforts on behalf of urban and migrating birds and wildlife are more critical than ever due to climate change effects and the devastating, steady loss of the natural environment in the City over many decades.
NYC Bird Alliance serves a diverse community of 10,000 members, with a team of 15 staff, supported by seasonal scientists, hundreds of advocates, and thousands of volunteers. It is an exciting time for the organization. We will be changing the organization’s name in Spring 2024, dropping “Audubon” and choosing a new name that is more inclusive and better represents our work. We will remain an affiliated chapter of National Audubon. Learn more about our name change at nycaudubon.org/audubon-name.
NYC Bird Alliance’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
NYC Bird Alliance believes all people have the right to a close connection to the natural world and the right to a healthy environment. Preserving our environment is only possible if we all feel that connection. We commit to building an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible NYC Bird Alliance, dedicated to protecting nature for all of New York City’s people and its wild birds. For more information, including our complete EDIA statement, visit nycaudubon.org/edia.
About the Position
Collisions with windows is a leading cause of mortality for wild birds. NYC Bird Alliance is at the forefront of research on factors affecting bird collisions, and in consulting to make buildings more bird-friendly. As part of this work, NYC Bird Alliance monitors a network of commercial buildings in Lower Manhattan for bird collisions during spring and fall migration, consulting with the company to identify high-collision facades in need of bird-friendly window retrofits. The Seasonal Collisions Monitors will assist NYC Bird Alliance’s conservation staff in monitoring the perimeters, green roofs, and terraces of an assigned set of buildings in lower Manhattan.
Because the majority of bird collisions in NYC occur during migration, collision monitoring will run during spring migration from March 14 to June 1, and again during fall migration from August 15 - November 15. There will be no work or payment from June 2-August 14. The Seasonal Bird Collision Monitors will report to NYC Bird Alliance’s Senior Manager of Green Infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Conduct in-person collision monitoring by walking assigned transects searching for dead and injured birds.
- Record detailed data and photograph all dead and injured birds.
- Transcribe data into an internal database.
- Transport injured birds to a local wildlife rehabilitator (accessible by subway).
- Assist with nest box and biodiversity monitoring, as needed.
As members of a small, dynamic team, the collision monitors will also have the opportunity to build skills by joining NYC Bird Alliance conservation staff in other field projects throughout the City. Opportunities available include bird banding, tagging Horseshoe Crabs, and participating in cutting-edge urban biodiversity research.
The job is physically demanding and will require walking up to four miles per day. Work will be outdoors on streets and at high elevations, including on rooftops, and terraces, in all weather conditions. The job is also emotionally demanding, requiring monitors to collect and photograph dead and injured birds, and transport injured birds to local wildlife rehabilitators.
Qualifications
Essential
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Familiarity with following monitoring protocols.
- Meticulous attention to detail in recording data.
- Good verbal communication skills and the ability to interact positively with the public and partners on sensitive conservation issues.
- Ability to work in physically strenuous field conditions.
- Comfort handling dead and injured birds.
- Availability to work early mornings (starting 6am) in all weather conditions.
Preferred
- Work experience in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field
- Familiarity using binoculars.
- Ability to recognize many of NYC’s bird species by sight.
- Coursework in ornithology, biology, or ecology.
Job Details
These are seasonal, part-time, hourly staff positions working five days a week, approximately five hours per day, from March 14-June 1, and again August 15-November 15. Assigned work shifts will start at approximately sunrise, and may include weekend work. These positions are in-person only.
Compensation
The Seasonal Bird Collision Monitors will be compensated at a rate of $20 per hour. While no fringe benefits (health insurance, retirement savings, or paid time off) are included in this job, the collision monitors will receive pro-rated paid days off for Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Indigenous Peoples Day, and sick time as provided by NYC law.
To Apply
Send resume and cover letter in PDF format to jobs@nycaudubon.org, with “Seasonal Collision Monitor” in the subject line. No calls, please.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a projected employment start date on March 14, 2024.
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NYC Bird Alliance provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy, military or military reserve obligations, or any other class or status protected by law.
NYC Bird Alliance is committed to building a team that represents the diversity of the New York City communities we serve. Candidates of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to apply though do note that the work can be physically demanding.
All NYC Bird Alliance employees must be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religion or medical necessity. If you are offered employment, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless an accommodation for exemption is received and approved.
