Position Title: Shorebird Monitor Supervisor Field Technician
FLSA Status: Hourly NonExempt (not benefit eligible)
Department: Coastal Ecology Program (CEP)
Salary Range: $17.00 $19.00 (based on qualifications and role)
Location: Duxbury Beach
Hours: Variable; including weekends nights & holidays; 1840 hr/wk
Schedule: March to September; additional offseason hours as necessary
About the Organization: The Duxbury Beach Reservation Inc. a 501(c)3)charitable corporation owns approximately 4 milesof Duxbury Beach a 7.5mile long barrier beach that extends from Marshfield in the north to GurnetPoint and Saquish in the Reservations mission is to protect the beach structure preserve its ecological resources andmaintain recreational access. Part of this responsibility is to maintain a Coastal Ecology Program on Duxbury Beach.
Field Technician
Nature of Work: The purpose of this position is to assist in the protection of the listed species Piping Plover Charadrius melodus and Least Tern Sternula antillarum). Employee will perform biological field work for the Endangered Species Program a subset of the Coastal Ecology Program. At the beginning of the season the employee will help to install necessary fencing and barriers. During the season they will assist with the daily collection of behavioral and location data for nesting Piping Plover and Least Terns and collect additional data according to provided protocols for Duxbury Beach Reservations Certificate of Inclusion Permit. Data collection includes but is not limited to: predator observations visitor statistics Piping Plover road crossings Least Tern colony and nursery observations barrier use etc. They will interact with the public to provide information and answer questions as necessary and communicate beach rules and regulations in a polite and professional manner. As needed they will assist in implementing temporary road and parking lot closures due to plover brood crossing activity. They will work closely with and communicate daily with other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff and the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers.
Responsibilities and Duties: The responsibilities and duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or logical assignment to the position.
Pay range: $17.00 $18.00
Biological Field Work:
- Conduct nest searching and monitoring for listed species
- Assist the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff in identifying vulnerable nesting sites
- Behavioral observations of Piping Plover pairs broods and Least Tern chicks
- Conduct Least Tern colony and chick surveys
- Assist Shorebird Monitors in locating plover broods and tern chicks.
- Identify shorebirds of the Eastern U.S.
- Collect data of predator usage on the beach through observations of sightings tracks and signs
- Perform functions related to the DBR Certificate of Inclusion under the MA Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plovers and Least Terns including implementing road closures installing and maintaining fencing and barriers and public outreach
Data Collection:
- Use ArcGIS Field Maps Survey 123 and other ArcGIS applications to record biological and other data
- Assistin management of collected seasonal data including abundance productivity and behavioral data
- Compile data for state plover tern and oystercatcher census forms and assist the Field Coordinator with summary reports for specific sites on results and management activities
- Uphold high standards of data collection
- Review and proof data throughout the season as time allows
- Provide feedback and clarification on field data
Communication:
- Submit daily updates on Piping Plover and Least Terns via email slack or phone call to the Field Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation Staff
- Collaborate with Monitor Supervisors to ensure adequate Shorebird Monitor coverage
- Communicate observations of enforcement issues directly to the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers through Slack
- Communicate with Duxbury Beach Reservation staff Town of Duxbury staff and public regarding vehicle pedestrian and/or dog closure areas on Duxbury Beach
- Accomplish wildlife and education objectives of the Endangered Species Program
Supervisory and Administrative Tasks:
- Assist in initial training of Shorebird Monitors
- Provide additional mentorship to Shorebird Monitors
- Attend meetings and trainings scheduled by the Field Coordinator
- Understand and abide by Duxbury Beach Rules & Regulations the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover Certificate of Inclusion and the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan
- Carry out related duties as required
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
- Education & Experience: Applicants with a B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology/management or related field or equivalent work experience are strongly preferred; A minimum of oneyear professional experience in avian monitoring or similar field
- An interest and willingness to learn and understand the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts Massachusetts Barrier Beach guidelines and Federal Barrier Beach guidelines.
- An interest and willingness to learn about the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan
- Experience with behavioral data collection wildlife tracking and coastal wildlife management issues
- Experience with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 preferred but not necessary
- Ability to effectively communicate with coworkers subordinate employees the public and ability to carry out specific tasks as assigned by the Field Coordinator
- Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions and be able to lift and carry up to 60lbs across varied and sandy terrain
- Be prepared to work outdoors with exposure to extreme weather conditions in secluded areas. Practice extreme care and safety precautions while on the job including following special safety precautions training and wear protective clothing such as coats hats sunglasses boots etc.
- Be able to actively patrol and survey for avian activity standing up for long hours
- Field Technicians will be required to find their own housing as well as reliable transportation to and from work. Use of personal vehicles may be required to access remote sections of the beach.
- Field Technicians will be required to provide their own binoculars
- Must have US work authorization
Additional tasks may be assigned (depending on need and availability) that are related but not limited to; vegetation sampling invasive plant removal avian composition surveys dune monitoring etc.
Special Requirements: Valid Drivers License and ability to operate related program equipment and vehicles. Specific vision abilities required include close medium and distance vision the ability to adjust focus and distinguish colors and shapes and the ability to read pertinent documents. Auditory demands include communicating with others on a regular basis and distinguishing between different types of bird calls. Ability to use hands and fingers to calibrate and use field equipment such as binoculars and tablets.
Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Duxbury Beach Reservations Endangered Species Program Field Coordinator.
How to Apply: The Duxbury Beach Reservation Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. To apply please fill out a job application by going to Your application will not be processed without completion/receipt of the items above. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will begin in January. If you have any questions about the position or application process please email and/or with Field Technician/Monitor Supervisor 2025 in the subject line.
Shorebird Monitor Supervisor
Nature of Work: The purpose of this position is to assist in the protection of the listed species Piping Plover Charadrius melodus and Least Tern Sternula antillarum). Shorebird Monitor Supervisor will assist with supervisory administrative biological observation and data collection for the Endangered Species Program. Shorebird Monitor Supervisors will work together to train schedule and supervise Shorebird Monitors. They will provide daytoday supervision and mentorship for Shorebird Monitors to ensure protocols including but not limited to behavioral data collection predator observations visitor statistics Piping Plover road crossings Least Tern colony and nursery observations barrier use etc. and ensure they are implemented correctly. Shorebird Monitor Supervisors will perform biological field work install and adjust fencing and interact and communicate with the public to provide information about beach rules and regulations in a polite and professional manner.
Responsibilities and Duties: The responsibilities and duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar related or logical assignment to the position.
Pay Range: $18.00 $19.00
Supervisory and Administrative Tasks:
- Assist in initial training of Shorebird Monitors and provide followup training as necessary
- Attend meetings and trainings scheduled by the Field Coordinator
- Create and publish weekly Shorebird Monitor schedules and create daily assignments for Shorebird Monitors for sufficient Piping Plover brood coverage
- Approve time off request of Shorebird Monitors
- Provide verbal and written feedback on Shorebird Monitor performance and administer written or verbal warnings regarding Shorebird Monitor behavior as necessary
- Provide mentorship to Shorebird Monitors on field and data collection public interaction and other skills pertaining to their position
- Ensure that the quality of work and data collection completed by Shorebird Monitors is up to the standard required by the Endangered Species Program with feedback and guidance provided as needed
- Conduct end of season performance evaluations on Shorebird Monitors
- Understand and abide by Duxbury Beach Rules & Regulations the Massachusetts Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plover Certificate of Inclusion and the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan as they pertain to the daily operations of the Reservation
- Carry out related duties as required
Data Collection:
- Use ArcGIS Field Maps Survey 123 and other ArcGIS applications to record biological and other data
- Assist in the management of collected seasonal data including abundance productivity and behavioral data
- Compile data for state plover tern and oystercatcher census forms and assist the Field Coordinator with summary reports for specific sites on results and management activities
- Daily review of Monitor data collection detailing daily movement of broods and chicks
- Uphold high standards of data collection
- Review and proof data throughout the season as time allows
- Provide feedback and clarification on field data
Communication:
- Submit daily updates on Piping Plovers Least terns and Shorebird Monitors via email text message slack or phone call to the Program Coordinator other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff
- Communicate observations of enforcement issues directly to the Town of Duxbury Beach Operation Rangers through Slack
- Communicate with Duxbury Beach Reservation staff Town of Duxbury staff and public regarding motor vehicle pedestrian and/or dog closure areas on Duxbury Beach. Communicate issues to Town of Duxbury Beach Operations staff
- Daily communication with Shorebird Monitors in; task assignment field assistance assistance in road closures resolving scheduling conflicts etc.
- Accomplish the wildlife and education objectives of the Endangered Species Program
Biological Field Work:
- Conduct nest searching and monitoring for listed species
- Behavioral observations of Piping Plover pairs broods and Least Tern chick nurseries
- Assist Program Coordinator and other Duxbury Beach Reservation staff in identifying vulnerable nesting sites
- Assist Shorebird Monitors in locating plover broods and tern chicks.
- Assist Field Technicians in Least Tern colony and chick surveys as needed
- Identify shorebirds of the Eastern U.S.
- Collect data of predator usage on the beach through observations of sightings tracks and signs
- Perform functions related to the DBR Certificate of Inclusion under the MA Habitat Conservation Plan for Piping Plovers and Least Terns including implementing road closures installing and maintaining fencing and barriers and public outreach
Additional tasks may be assigned (depending on need and availability) that are related but not limited to; vegetation sampling invasive plant removal avian composition surveys dune monitoring etc.
Recommended Minimum Qualifications:
- Applicants with a B.S. or B.A. or higher in wildlife biology/management or related field or equivalent work experience are strongly preferred. A minimum of oneyear professional experience in avian monitoring or a similar field
- Supervisory experience preferred
- Interest or willingness to learn about the Federal and State Endangered Species Acts Massachusetts Barrier Beach guidelines and Federal Barrier Beach guidelines
- Interest or willingness to learn about the Duxbury Beach Management & Habitat Conservation Plan
- Experience with behavioral data collection wildlife tracking and coastal wildlife management issues
- Ability to effectively communicate with coworkers subordinate employees and the public and the ability to carry out specific tasks as assigned by the Program Coordinator
- Experience with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123 preferred but not necessary
- Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions and be able to lift and carry up to 60lbs across varied and sandy terrain
- Be prepared to work outdoors with exposure to extreme weather conditions in secluded areas. Practice extreme care and safety precautions while on the job including following special safety precautions training and wear protective clothing such as coats hats sunglasses boots etc.
- Monitor Supervisors will be required to find their own housing as well as reliable transportation to and from work. Use of personal vehicles may be required to access remote sections of the beach.
- Monitor Supervisors will be required to provide their own binoculars
- Must have US work authorization
Special Requirements: Valid Drivers License and ability to operate related program equipment and vehicles. Specific vision abilities required include close medium and distance vision the ability to adjust focus and distinguish colors and shapes and the ability to read pertinent documents. Auditory demands include communicating with others on a regular basis and distinguishing between different types of bird calls. Ability to use hands and fingers to calibrate and use field equipment such as binoculars and tablets.
Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Duxbury Beach Reservations Endangered Species Program Field Coordinator.
How to Apply: The Duxbury Beach Reservation Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. To apply please fill out a job application by going to Your application will not be processed without completion/receipt of the items above. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as interviews will begin in January. If you have any questions about the position or application process please email and/or with Field Technician/Monitor Supervisor 2025 in the subject line.
Required Experience:
Manager