Careers

Position Title: Senior Shorebird Scientist
Department: Science
Reports To:   Vice President of Science
FLSA Classification: Full-Time/Exempt
HR Job Category:   Senior Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Manomet Conservation Sciences is a mission-driven conservation NGO seeking a Senior Shorebird Scientist with a strong background in shorebird ecology to lead applied research and conservation efforts focused on shorebirds. This is a senior-level position for a scientist who combines deep ecological expertise with a passion for protecting migratory birds and their habitats.

The ideal candidate has a PhD. in conservation research and is a skilled field biologist, analytical thinker, and collaborative leader, with demonstrated success in shorebird research, conservation partnerships, and science communication. The Senior Shorebird Scientist manages a program of research related to the conservation of shorebirds throughout the Western Hemisphere, with a special focus on the flagship species identified in Manomet’s current Strategic Plan, and with a special focus on arctic breeding shorebirds and their habitats. The major focus of the research is to identify factors limiting populations of these species, so that conservation action can be targeted to reverse declines and recover populations.

ABOUT MANOMET

Manomet is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Workplace diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Design and lead research and field studies on shorebirds, including demographic monitoring, migration ecology, habitat use, and climate-related impacts, and lead project planning, research design, project implementation, and data analysis and reporting.
• Oversee and conduct data collection and analysis using techniques such as nest monitoring, bird banding, remote sensing, and tracking technologies (e.g., GPS, geolocators, satellite tags).
• Maintain long-term datasets and publish high-impact research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Secure and manage funding through grant writing and reporting, donor proposals, and institutional partnerships.
• Lead project teams and partnerships, manage budgets, and ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Mentor early-career scientists, technicians, and Indigenous youth interested in conservation science.
• Support staff across Manomet’s shorebird conservation programs with field research planning, research design, and data analysis and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with other scientists and conservation specialists across multiple projects.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proficiency with wildlife tracking technologies, remote sensing, or climate-related modeling preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Manage science and conservation grants for other flagship species.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Vice President of Science.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Ornithology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, or a closely related field, with a strong publication record.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience, including Arctic fieldwork and shorebird research.
• Advanced knowledge of Arctic ecosystems and shorebird ecology.
• Proficiency in ecological data analysis (R, Python, or similar) and GIS tools.
• Experience with wildlife tracking technologies, remote sensing, or climate-related modeling preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Track record of publication in scientific journals related to bird conservation.
• Familiarity with demographic modeling and statistical analysis of field data.
• Successful history of raising grant funding to support research and conservation.
• Ability to effectively supervise other staff, and manage multiple grant projects simultaneously.
• Experience working respectfully with Indigenous communities and integrating Traditional Knowledge with Western science.
• Familiarity with North American Flyway conservation frameworks (e.g., Atlantic, Pacific, Mid-continent, East Asian–Australasian).
• Proven success in grant writing and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Multilingual capability preferred, especially Spanish or French for migratory shorebird research partnerships.
• Must have reliable method of transportation, valid driver’s license and passport.
• Must successfully pass a background check.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations in the US as necessary to complete job duties, such as travel to scientific meetings and conferences. Travel may also be international. Travel is reimbursed. (If applicable)
• Extensive field work required in many different environments, including arctic, temperate, and tropical field sites.
• Comfortable working in remote and challenging field conditions and working remotely in bear country.
• Ability to cover long distances on foot over difficult terrain in challenging weather conditions, and camp in wilderness settings for many weeks.
• Willingness to travel extensively for field work in remote locations, sometimes by small aircraft.
• Close work (paperwork, visual examination).
• Occasionally walking up and down stairs, standing, and bending.
• Fully remote/Hybrid remote work possible. Attendance at Manomet headquarters for meetings, special events, and staff retreats.

SALARY RANGE: $89,000 – $109,000

Compensation commensurate with experience. Manomet offers excellent benefits including health insurance, dental, 403b match, life insurance, and several other benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email a resume and cover letter, to jobs@manomet.org by September 30^th, 2025. Please reference the job title in the subject line.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

Manomet provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Position Title: Georgia Coastal Bird Ambassador Program Coordinator (Internship)
Department: Resilient Habitats (Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative)
Reports To:   Shorebird Biologist
HR Job Category:  Internship

POSITION SUMMARY

The intern will act as the coordinator and lead for the Georgia Coastal Bird Ambassadors volunteer program, taking on a visible leadership role in the community. They will recruit, train, and support volunteers, engage with the public, and conduct shorebird disturbance monitoring surveys to collect data that can support future management decisions. The intern will provide wildlife viewing opportunities for visitors and community members on Tybee Island’s beaches, helping increase awareness of shorebird and seabird conservation issues.

They will also assist Allie Hayser, Shorebird Biologist, with tabling events, school programs, and opportunities for collaboration with partners across the Georgia coast. Training in shorebird identification, communication, and volunteer coordination will be provided during onboarding.

This is an excellent opportunity for a local, early-career conservationist or birder who wants to build leadership skills, gain field experience, and grow as a community conservation leader.

INTERNSHIP LOCATION: 

• Tybee Island, Georgia.
• Some travel along the Georgia coast for any outreach events throughout the internship between St. Simons, Savannah, and Brunswick, GA

ABOUT MANOMET

Manomet is a 501(c)(3) organization that empowers stakeholders through science and works with partners to make a world where ecosystems and human communities thrive. Since Manomet’s beginnings as a bird banding operation in 1969, its science and research have expanded to focus on ecosystem management and resilience, shorebird conservation, and educating tomorrow’s leaders about the importance of the natural world. Workplace diversity, science, and climate change are the fundamental principles driving Manomet’s work today.

In 2018, Manomet launched the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative (GABSCI) to address specific threats to the shorebirds dependent on the southeastern region of the Atlantic Coast. We partner and work closely with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, local Audubon chapters, the City of Tybee, private landowners and foundations to support shorebird conservation in the southeast and more broadly throughout the Western Hemisphere. This initiative is part of our efforts to ensure that shorebird populations in the Atlantic Flyway have healthy habitats where they can feed, rest, and nest. Our goals at the GABSCI include working with partner groups to provide outreach to reduce threats to shorebirds and protect habitat by addressing human disturbance, disturbance from dogs, loss of habitat, and other issues that impact coastal birds.

TRAINING/EDUCATION PLAN:

Our internship opportunity has two main areas of focus:

1. Volunteer Coordination, Outreach & Education: leading the Georgia Coastal Bird Ambassador volunteer program, convening volunteers and partners, conducting outreach and education related to shorebird conservation, and promoting messaging to reduce disturbance at key stopover sites along the Georgia coast.
2. Shorebird Conservation & Fieldwork: immersive training and experience in shorebird conservation and fieldwork, along with associated data entry, management, and community-based social marketing. Projects include long-term disturbance monitoring, shorebird and seabird band resighting, nest monitoring, and environmental data collection.

Projects will include developing social media posts, written pieces for local news, collection of data at beach sites, and collaboration with schools, partners, and state/federal agencies. The intern will also collect and organize data from volunteer shift reports, maintain and grow volunteer involvement, improve nesting success for species that use the beach, and carefully document ongoing problems that cause disturbance to coastal birds.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

• Gain skills in volunteer management, community engagement, conservation planning, and collaboration.
• Act as a leader for the Coastal Bird Ambassador program by managing and engaging the current volunteer group and supporting volunteer recruitment. Encourage volunteers to interact positively with the public and relay any concerns to Manomet.
• Prioritize and schedule steward shifts to coincide with the heaviest beach use, with emphasis on weekends and holidays.
• Participate in tabling events and provide outreach programs virtually and in person for volunteers, community groups, and the public. Design materials to contribute to steward resources, including field guides, pamphlets, polls, articles, blogs, and posts on media platforms.
• Monitor seabird and shorebird roosting and nesting sites on Tybee Island while minimizing human disturbance to nesting birds. Note that nest establishment can begin in late March for Black Skimmers.
• Promote the “Wildlife Beach Area” concept, highlighting important parts of the beach for birds and asking beachgoers to give birds space.
• Engage with the public by leading bird walks and educating them about shorebirds using optic gear and other outreach tools.
• Work with Manomet and partners to keep managers apprised of blatant violations of existing ordinances. Beach stewards have no enforcement authority; all interactions should be positive.
• Maintain volunteer equipment (cart, chairs, signage, vests) and coordinate with Manomet staff as necessary. Coordinate maintenance of ropes and signs at exclosures to protect nesting or roosting birds in collaboration with Manomet, GA DNR, and the City of Tybee.
• Complete shift reports and encourage all volunteers to complete shift reports throughout the season. Reports will include estimates of nesting birds by species, estimates of nesting success, and documentation of interactions with the public. Submit shift reports through the Google Form platform.
• Conduct surveys using established protocols and ensure that data collected by volunteers is accurate and reliable.
• Document disturbance issues (human, canine, tidal flooding, and other factors) at priority sites and report findings to Manomet staff.

SCHEDULE:

• Posting Closes: October 31, 2025
• Application Review & Interviews: November- December 2025
• Internship Start Date: February 2, 2026
• End of the Internship Date: June 26, 2026
• Schedule: 15-25 hours a week in the field and working remotely on projects.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid driver’s license and personal transportation are needed to travel to events and beach sites.
• Must have local housing; housing is not provided for this internship.
• High School Diploma
• Preferred- Bachelors, or in-progress of Bachelor’s with emphasis in environmental education, conservation, avian ecology, or wildlife management.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Familiar with conservation projects, community engagement events, and can communicate positively with beachgoers
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, enthusiasm, and demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Interest in shorebird conservation and birding; bird identification experience or interest in improving skills preferred.
• Familiar with writing posts on social platforms, sharing media with the public, and using cameras, phones, and optics to create media for our steward group.
• Familiar with scheduling, data management, and report writing.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations on the Georgia Coast as necessary to complete job duties.
• Hybrid remote work when not in the field.
• Applicants should be comfortable working independently in the field and recording data. This position requires walking long distances over sandy beach, sitting for several hours, and tolerating exposure to variable and sometimes harsh weather and environmental conditions (wind, heat, sun, biting insects)

BENEFITS

• Paid internship, $16 per hour.
• Hours will be flexible: 15-25 hours/wk., but will not exceed 25 hours/wk.
• Will provide documentation for college credit opportunities if desired.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send cover letter, resume and contact info for 2 or 3 references via email to Allie Hayser (ahayser@manomet.org) and CC to Abby Sterling (asterling@manomet.org).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the internship opportunity performed by people assigned to this internship.  The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis. 

Manomet provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.