Seasonal Coastal Ecologist

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Who We Are: Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation's premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees' preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do.

We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non‑profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website,(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Salary/Hourly Rate: $18.50-$20.50/hour
• Housing: housing may be available, but space is limited
• Hours per week: 40
• Job Classification: Limited-Term, Nonexempt
• Job Type: Onsite
• Duration: May - October
• Location: The Great Marsh, Ipswich, MA

Your Impact: As a Coastal Ecologist you will be part of the Natural Resources Team responsible for exemplary habitat protection and management statewide including 2,000 acres of salt marsh, 26 miles of barrier beach, an exemplary beach‑nesting shorebird program and more than 700 acres of barrens habitat. This will be an opportunity to learn about and participate in many of the modern stewardship challenges land managers face today, especially those being exacerbated by climate change.

As a Seasonal Coastal Ecologist, you will assist with monitoring, research, and management activities associated with several large‑scale ecological restoration efforts in Eastern Massachusetts. The primary focus of the position includes collecting monitoring data at multiple locations in the Great Marsh, the largest salt marsh ecosystem in New England and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern as part of an innovative partnership to restore resiliency and habitat to the Great Marsh.

This position will also include monitoring for white‑tailed deer browse impacts on 15 properties as part of The Trustees program to reduce deer browse impacts and improve habitat resiliency on thousands of acres of protected land.

• Conduct bird surveys to document habitat quality and use on 358 acres of salt marsh, including:
  • Surveys of breeding birds with a focus on saltmarsh sparrows following established monitoring protocols (i.e., SHARP)
  • Monitoring tern foraging activity
  • Monitoring non‑breeding bird use within salt marsh restoration areas and coordinating volunteer participation as time allows
  • Documenting habitat characteristics for saltmarsh sparrow nest sites
• Collect data for breeding mosquitoes on 90 acres of salt marsh
• Collect data on salt marsh restoration projects including ditch remediation, runnels, nesting islands, and marsh pools
• Provide daily oversight for seasonal interns assisting with coastal habitat and species monitoring
• Analyze collected data for birds, mosquitoes, and salt marsh restoration, and complete annual reports
• Survey monitoring plots for deer browse at 15 forested properties throughout eastern Massachusetts
• Other tasks and duties as assigned related to the Coastal Ecology Program

This is a seasonal limited‑term, non‑exempt position working 40 hours per week reporting directly to the Director of Coastal Ecology.

• Required:
  • At least 3 months of previous field experience (does not need to be in salt marsh)
  • Coursework in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science or related field
  • The ability to identify marsh feeding and breeding birds by sight and sound
  • The ability to identify plants
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • The ability to work alone in the field or remotely as well as with volunteers and the public
  • The ability to work outdoors daily, and at times, under rigorous conditions
  • The ability to…