Western Snowy Plover Conservation Technician

Point Blue Conservation Science; Monterey (CA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick time (up to 40 hours)

Mileage reimbursement for field work

Job summary

Point Blue Conservation Science seeks a Western Snowy Plover Conservation Technician for the Monterey Bay area. The role is a full-time seasonal position from March 2027 through early August 2027, working about 40 hours per week with duties including field monitoring, data management, and habitat protection actions.

Fieldwork involves beaches and coastal ponds, using binoculars and a scope for bird observations and nest monitoring.

Qualifications

• Interest in birds and conservation.
• Ability to differentiate colors accurately for field work.
• Willingness to hike several miles over sand and uneven terrain.
• Comfort interacting with the public and working both independently and with a team.
• Experience with field work or data collection is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor breeding snowy plovers in the field (70%).
• Enter and manage snowy plover data (20%).
• Support habitat protections and other management actions (5%).
• Participate in collaborative team meetings (5%).
• Use binoculars and a scope for color-band resighting, behavior observations, and nest monitoring.

Skills

Bird conservation interest

Color differentiation

Public interaction

Field hiking endurance

Independence and teamwork

Tools

Binoculars

Scope

Vehicle mileage reimbursement

Job description

WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN

Location: Monterey Bay area, CA (Housing not provided)

Duration: 5 months; March, 2027- early August, 2027

Position Type: Full Time (40 hours/week),Seasonal Technician

Deadline to Apply: December 15th, 2026

Compensation: The technician will be paid $23.15 per hour (rate subject to change due to 2027 salary projections). Benefits are limited to up to 40 hours of paid sick time. Any use of a personal vehicle for field work will be reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate. Preferred applicants will live in the Monterey Bay/Monterey/Santa Cruz area. Binoculars and scope will be provided for the field season. Housing is not provided, nor is a living stipend or field vehicle.

Position Description: The Western Snowy Plover Conservation Technician will be an employee of Point Blue Conservation Science and part of a five-person Point Blue team. The Technician will also participate in a multi-agency management team that works collaboratively to achieve snowy plover conservation outcomes. The collaborative team includes staff from Point Blue Conservation Science, CA State Parks (Santa Cruz and Monterey Districts), US Fish and Wildlife Service (Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge and Ventura Field Office), and US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services. The Technician will participate in field monitoring of breeding snowy plovers (70%), entering and managing snowy plover data (20%), implementing snowy plover habitat protections and other management actions (5%), and participating in collaborative team meetings (5%). Field work takes place on beaches and managed coastal ponds and entails using optics (binoculars and scope) for conducting color band resighting, behavioral observations, and nest monitoring. The technician will interact with the public to provide information on snowy plover habitat protections and conservation threats.

Labor Hours and Start Date: The Technician will work a total of 5 months (~800 hours) between March-early August of 2027. A start date in early March is preferred but could be as late as March 15th.

We are committed to removing barriers based on racial, gender, cultural, and other factors and believe that equal representation is essential to the success of Point Blue's mission and vision. We seek and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join our teams.

Qualifications:

• Desired applicants will have a strong interest in birds and conservation.
• Applicants must be able to perceive and differentiate colors accurately, as reading color bands is a key piece of field work.
• The ability to traverse long distances through sandy and uneven terrain is necessary; a typical field day involves hiking several miles on dry sand.
• The Technician must be willing to interact with the public, able to work alone (after a training period), as well as work with others from the Point Blue team and collaborators.
• Preference may be given to applicants with previous experience with field work, scientific data collection, and/or working with birds.
• Applicants will need a valid driver's license, a personal vehicle, and current proof of insurance; Point Blue will conduct a motor vehicle report for insurance purposes, after hiring.
• Since housing is not provided, applicants who are currently living in the Monterey Bay area of California are preferred.

Point Blue is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship status, disability status of an otherwise qualified individual, membership or application for membership in an uniformed service, or membership in any other class protected by applicable law and will make reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to complete the application and/or participate in the interview process.