Tern Colony Site Manager; Seasonal

Position: Tern Colony Site Manager (Seasonal)
Location: Buzzards Bay

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family.

  Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Who We Are as an

Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

DFG:

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is the state agency responsible for conservation of the state's natural resources. DFG exercises responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife, plants, and natural communities, and provides outdoor recreation opportunities to the public.

Job Opening:

Mass Wildlife is responsible for the conservation of freshwater fish and wildlife in the Commonwealth, including endangered plants and animals. Mass Wildlife restores, protects, and manages land for wildlife to thrive and for people to enjoy.

A cover letter referencing the correct position must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition.

Job Description:

The Tern Colony Site Manager (2 seasonal contract positions) restores endangered terns to Buzzards Bay through an intensive program of protection, management, and monitoring at the key nesting islands. Responsibility to protect these endangered birds falls under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Persons hired will spend significant time in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Specific duties include:

1. Protection and censusing colonies of Common and endangered Roseate Terns, and Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls

2. Discouragement of nesting gulls

3. Monitoring tern growth and productivity; trapping and banding adult and chicks; participating in other studies as needed.

4. Reading bands on adults through spotting scopes

5. Predator control and habitat management

6. Scheduling and supervision of seasonal interns and predator control technician.

7. Maintaining field notebooks, data management, and writing an end-of-season report. One of the positions will also assist with quality control, analysis, and reporting of statewide data on rare coastal waterbirds.

8. BIRD/RAM ISLANDS:
Operation of outboard motorboats in marine environment

Qualifications:

Must have previous coursework in the biological or environmental sciences and be comfortable spending long periods of time in the outdoors. One incumbent must have substantial experience with quality-control and analysis of biological data. As a condition of employment, employees must be fully vaccinated.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience supervising field personnel

2. Experience banding birds

3. BIRD/RAM ISLANDS:
Experience handling outboard motorboats in the marine environment.

4. PENIKESE ISLAND:
Experience camping under primitive conditions desirable. Person hired will be required to set up and live in a field camp on the island.

5. Good physical condition. At PENIKESE ISLAND, must be able to carry ~40 lbs. of field equipment a distance of ½ mile.

6. Ability to work independently, as well as live and work cooperatively and harmoniously with others. At PENIKESE ISLAND must be comfortable living with others in close quarters in a remote island setting with limited facilities for 2-3 weeks at a time.

7. Willingness to work at night when required

8. In-state travel will be required; willingness to use personal vehicle.

Comments:

Fieldwork will be conducted in Southeastern Massachusetts at BIRD ISLAND, Marion, RAM ISLAND, Mattapoisett, and PENIKESE ISLAND, Gosnold (in Buzzards Bay). Work on weekends and holidays is expected. BIRD/RAM ISLANDS:
During the field season, incumbents will be expected to work on an irregular 5 day/week schedule, traveling to and from the islands daily by boat. Crew housing on mainland will be provided. PENIKESE ISLAND:
Incumbent will work an average of 6 days/week but will work on the island for up to 2 - 3 weeks at a time before getting time off, depending on weather conditions and on an irregular boat schedule to the island. Crew housing on the mainland will be provided for days off.

No benefits are included - except earned sick leave.

A cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references must be submitted as part of the…