Summer Field Biologist

Bedford Audubon is offering a ten-week paid opportunity in field biology, located at their operations center, Bylane Farm in Katonah, New York. The field biologist will have the opportunity to work at Bedford Audubon’s long-term Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) banding station. MAPS, a continentwide research project led by the Institute for Bird Populations, is a rigorous scientific endeavor, collecting data that provides critical information relating to the ecology, conservation, and management of North American landbird populations.

The successful candidate will also participate in other long-term monitoring and habitat management projects, participate in habitat planning and management of Bedford Audubon’s sanctuaries, participate in public education programs, and compile reports on these activities to internal and public audiences.

Core Responsibilities:

• Bird banding:  Assist in all bird banding sessions at our Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) banding station. Assist in at least one public bird banding demonstration.  MAPS-related tasks will include site preparation, bird extraction from mist nets, banding, data collection and management, and data entry and reporting.
• Aid in management of BAS’s 575 acres of nature sanctuary land. This will include assisting in the updating of habitat management plans through establishing and helping to conduct a series of long term avian point counts and other surveys of breeding birds, inventory/study of species of most conservation concern and their habitat needs, identifying emerging invasive plant species and researching and implementing best practices for management, monitoring for evidence of pollution and other habitat degradation, and positioning and checking wildlife cameras.
• Participate in multi-taxa survey of Bedford Audubon’s Franklin Fels sanctuary for the purpose of setting conservation and habitat management plans at that 220 acre forested sanctuary.  
• Additional opportunities for research and activity (e.g., communications and marketing, development, environmental education, etc.)  available, depending on the candidate’s experience and personal goals.
•  Composing regular social media posts to build public awareness of these programs.
• Assisting in the day-to-day operations at Bedford Audubon.
• A final report is required before the culmination of the position to be given as a public presentation consisting, at least in part, of a summary of the MAPS season.

Required Skills and Qualities:

The ideal candidate for this opportunity is an enthusiastic individual with a passion for environmental conservation and field biology. The candidate should have experience operating mist netting and bird banding activities. Some ability to identify eastern US birds by ear preferred but not required.

An eagerness to work in a public setting is required. The candidate should be self-motivated, and able to successfully work independently and in a supportive team atmosphere.  Further, the candidate should be able to withstand the physical rigors of the job, including carrying field equipment, hiking to stations and count transects as well as being able to work outside for extended periods in all kinds of summer weather conditions. Must be comfortable with a casual yet professional office setting.  Candidates must hold a valid driver’s license and have personal transportation. Candidates should be able to hike for a least a half a mile with field equipment that will weigh at least 10 pounds.

Details:

Dates: First week of June – Early August (this may be able to be flexible depending on the successful candidate’s personal schedule: please include any date restrictions in your cover letter.)

Time Commitment: Approximately 30 hours per week, 10 weeks minimum

Hourly Rate: $16.50 per hour

Housing: We are pleased to offer voluntary housing at our Bylane Farm operations center. Please inquire for details.

Location: Bylane Farm (35 Todd Road, Katonah, New York, 10536)

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter, résumé, and two references to Tait Johansson, Naturalist, by April 11, 2025 at tjohansson@bedfordaudubon.org. The cover letter should describe interests and personal goals for the position. Please also include any academic or personal date restrictions.

Bedford Audubon’s mission is to grow and nurture a community that values the conservation of birds and their habitats. We do this by providing high-quality environmental education programs, research, and birdwatching experiences. We proudly serve the communities of Armonk, Bedford, Brewster, Carmel, Katonah, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Patterson, Pound Ridge, Somers, and Yorktown.

Established in 1913, Bedford Audubon is one of the oldest Audubon chapters in the country.