Conservation Ecologist II

Conservation Ecologist II
Tracy Aviary Conservation Science Program
Tracy Aviary, Salt Lake City, UT

Job Title: Conservation Ecologist II

Job Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt (40 hrs/wk)

Relationships: Reports to the Director of Conservation, Collaborates with Conservation Ecologists and Conservation Education Manager, and works directly with Community Science Volunteers

Location: Offsite (40%) Tracy Aviary Nature Center at Pia Okwai (40%) and Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park (20%)

Compensation: Hourly, $18.50/hr

Benefits: Access to Health Insurance, Paid time off, Sick leave, access to 403b retirement. 

Schedule: Typically a 5-day work week - schedule can be set in collaboration with Director of Conservation. Needs to be able to work early mornings during the field season with occasional evenings.

Job Summary: Tracy Aviary’s Conservation Science Program is seeking a full-time Conservation Ecologist who will support our ongoing community science & conservation education programs. Our Conservation Science and Education Program helps conserve birds and their habitats through community science. Focusing on key local habitats and pressing regional conservation issues, our goals are to gather novel information about local avian ecology, inform habitat restoration and stewardship, and engage a diverse community in scientific data collection and environmental education.  

Primary Duties:

Field Work for Community Science Projects (60%)

• Train for and conduct surveys for the following projects:

  • Breeding Season Point Count Surveys (Feb - Jul) and Non-breeding Transect Surveys (Aug - Jan)

  • Bird Banding at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai banding station (year-round)

  • Motus tagging and tower installation (Spring/Summer)

  • Snowy Plover Nest Monitoring (Mar - Sept)

  • Salt Lake Avian Collision Surveys (Apr-Jun & Sept-Oct)

Administrative Support (25%)

• Work with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to recruit and coordinate Breeding Bird Survey volunteers across the state of Utah

• Data review and entry across community science projects

• Data analysis and development of annual project reports for stakeholders and the public

Education & Community Engagement (15%)

• Engage community members, youths to adults, in community science and other investigations at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai

• Provide support for Conservation Education programs including but not limited to:

  • Talk Nights

  • STEM Field Trips

  • Youth Community Science Programs

  • Outreach, particularly at our community science study sights

• Represent Conservation at Aviary special events and Nature Center operations

Qualifications:

Studies have shown that women, non-binary folks, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are much less likely to apply for a position unless they feel they meet every qualification as described. We are committed to finding the best overall candidate and welcome candidates who may come from less traditional backgrounds. Please think about the breadth of your life experience when considering the following list of qualifications:

• Experience working independently on projects and surveys

• Experience working with volunteers and members of the public

• Experience conducting field research

• Ability to identify birds of the region by sight and sound

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and experience with data entry and analysis

• Willingness to work irregular hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends

Preferred Qualifications:

• An associate’s degree (or equivalent experience) with coursework in environmental education, conservation science, wildlife biology, ecology, or related field, 

• Bilingual, English/Spanish

• Experience participating in or implementing community science projects

• Background in science communication and outreach

• Experience working across diverse communities.

• Ability to pivot as an individual and as a team member

Reporting Relationship: Supervised and managed by the Conservation Ecologists III & Director of Conservation

Disclaimer: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of an employee assigned to this job.

To apply: Send a cover letter describing relevant experience and skills, a resume, and contact information for three references to Angie Trumbo (angiet@tracyaviary.org). Applications will be reviewed as they are received, position is open until filled.