Seasonal Bird Collision Monitor (Short term, August 2023)
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 Seasonal Collision Monitors in short-term contract positions to assist with a collision monitoring study of multiple buildings in Manhattan. These positions will run for the fall migration season (August 7 - November 15, 2023).
Up to one quarter of a million birds due to window collisions in New York City each year. The Seasonal Collision Monitor position is an exciting opportunity to collect data that helps protect birds from 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 13 full-time and part-time staff, supported by seasonal scientists, hundreds of advocates, and thousands of volunteers. We are a grassroots membership-based organization that is independent from but affiliates as a chapter of the National Audubon Society. The organization recently announced upcoming plans to change its name as part of its effort to include all New Yorkers in conservation and protecting urban biodiversity.
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 recognize that inequities in our society are widespread and hinder access to nature. Only by embracing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility as values and striving for them in practice will we begin to foster a love of nature in all people and inspire them to be active stewards of the environment. We further believe that to thrive as an organization and effectively advance our mission and vision, the diversity of New York City’s people must be represented in, and welcomed into, our leadership, staff, and membership. The expertise, values, and perspectives of a diverse and inclusive organization are fundamental to expanding the reach and impact of our conservation, advocacy, and educational efforts. 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.
About the Position
NYC Bird Alliance monitors a network of buildings in Lower Manhattan for bird collisions during spring and fall migration, part of a larger contract with a company to identify high collision facades in need of bird-friendly 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.
The job is physically demanding and will require walking up to 4 miles per day. Work will be outdoors on streets, rooftops, and terraces. The job is also emotionally demanding, requiring monitors to collect and photograph dead and injured birds, and transport injured birds to local wildlife rehabilitators.
Responsibilities
- Conduct in-person collision monitoring in Manhattan 5 mornings per week by walking transects searching for dead and injured birds.
- Record detailed data and photograph all dead or injured birds.
- Transcribe data into an internal database.
- Transport injured birds to a local wildlife rehabilitator.
- Assist with nest box installation, as needed.
Qualifications
Essential
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Familiarity with following monitoring protocols, and meticulous attention to detail in recording data.
- Good 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.
- Ability to work early mornings (starting 6am) in all weather conditions.
Preferred
- Work experience in ecology, biology, environmental science, or a related field
- Ability to use binoculars.
- Ability to recognize many of NYC’s bird species by sight.
- Coursework in ornithology, biology, ecology.
Job Details & Compensation
This is a seasonal contract position working up to 20 hours per week from August 7th through November 15, 2023. The Seasonal Bird Collision Monitor will report to NYC Bird Alliance’s Green Infrastructure Manager.
Seasonal Bird Collision Monitors 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 this contract position, this requirement must be met by your date of hire, unless an accommodation for exemption is received and approved.
The Seasonal Collision Monitors will each be paid a stipend of $130 each day worked for the period of August 7 - November 15, paid bi-weekly.
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 August 7, 2023.
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.
