Jobs 2023 Manager of Bird Observatory Operations Birds Canada

Manager of Bird Observatory Operations
Birds Canada
Port Rowan, Ontario, Kanada

Lamar di WorkCabin

Birds Canada

Overview of Position
This vital flagship role is a permanent position primarily based at the Birds Canada headquarters and at the historic Long Point Bird Observatory in Port Rowan, Ontario, but flexible work schedule and remote work options are possible, especially from December through March. The position demands an exceptionally skilled birder and naturalist who loves being hands-on working outdoors, managing logistics and field operations, is very well organized, demonstrates initiative, and has an exceptional work ethic and interpersonal skills.

The Manager is responsible for the management, delivery, development and sustainability of:

• Long Point Bird Observatory (LPBO) and programming
• Thunder Cape Bird Observatory (TCBO), and
• Aspects of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) – primarily coordinator/secretariat roles
• The Manager is also the direct supervisor of the LPBO Program Coordinator(s), TCBO Program Coordinator, and Ontario Projects Biologist, program co-operators (interns, volunteers, and visiting researchers), and seasonal staff as appropriate, and works closely with these individuals to fulfil their mandate.

Required Education, Training and Experience:

• Exceptional birder and naturalist
• M.Sc. preferred, or B.Sc. with significant experience
• Strong record of leadership and mentoring
• Program management and fundraising experience
• Experience managing remote field operations
• First aid experience/training/certification
• North American Banding Council – Trainer Certification, or equivalent experience
• Analytical and writing skills are highly desirable
• Boat, 4×4, and all-terrain vehicle experience/training/certification, and basic handy-person skills are an asset, along with French or Spanish speaking capability.
• You must possess a valid drivers license and be legally entitled to work in Canada to be considered for this role.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of program operations
• Maintain and diversify funding in all program areas
• Facilitate or lead the use of program data, infrastructure and programming to inform science and conservation
• Finance and admin duties such as fundraising, expense reporting, budgeting, and contracting
• Maintain up to date protocols, policies, permits and procedures for all program areas
• Ensure facilities and programs adhere to the highest health and safety standards

Program-Specific Duties – LPBO & TCBO:

• Ensure the Migration Monitoring Program is conducted to the highest scientific and ethical standards, following all protocols and procedures at LPBO and TCBO.
• Oversee observatory outreach, education programming, and visitor services such as the Doug Tarry Natural History Fund – Young Ornithologist Workshop and Internship, on-site and virtual school and special interest groups, including delivery, program development, fees, etc.
• Ensure a nurturing, world-class and state-of-the-art training program, global in reach and influence, with a special focus on extending training opportunities to Latin American participants.
• Ensure observatory methods, practices, and standards align with the North American Banding Council (NABC) and actively contribute to the fulfilment of the NABC mission and improvement of resources.
• Execute and maintain a robust suite of special projects focusing on the natural history of Long Point and surrounding environs that contribute to the overall sustainability of the observatory (e.g. Tree Swallow Project, Breeding Bird Census, Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program, Phragmites control, Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas)
• Enable a diverse observatory- and collaboration-driven research program, including reporting, logistics, fees, and permitting and publishing as appropriate, ensuring the completion and distribution of the LPBO Annual Report by February of each year.
• Contribute to a robust outreach, engagement and communication portfolio and schedule in collaboration with other Birds Canada staff
• Liaise and foster relationships and collaborations with key government, private and other NGO stakeholders and partners.
• Liaise with “Friends of LPBO” to co-coordinate aspects of visitor experience, LPBO Shoppe and merchandise.
• Ensure complete and accurate databases for all aforementioned programs and projects including records of cooperators, banding, recaptures, project data, sightings, etc.
• Maintain existing, and diversify funding in all areas – donations, tours, capital improvements, research support, etc.

CMMN Responsibilities:

• Fulfil objectives of the CMMN Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate and participate in all CMMN Steering Committee meetings and subcommittees where appropriate. Act as a primary liaison between Birds Canada and CMMN member stations.
• Transcribe, archive, and distribute minutes CMMN steering committee minutes, and perform other ‘coordinator/secretariat’ roles as needed.
• Seek and implement collaborations and funding opportunities for the entire network, subsets, or individual stations as appropriate.
• In collaboration with other steering committee members, maintain website, social media, database of stations and contacts, and all station ET, banding, and effort data.

Property and Equipment Management and Maintenance Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all facets of the properties, facilities and equipment (including vehicles and boats) are maintained, clean, organized, and in exceptional working order at all times.
• Identify and document problems and develop and implement solutions, ensuring the budget is available, and/or fundraising to support the needs.

What Birds Canada Offers:

• Competitive starting salary ($65-$70k)
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and disability benefits
• 5% RRSP matching program after one year of employment
• Generous time off, including vacation and personal health days
• Flexible work arrangements depending on the time of year
• The opportunity to work with an exceptionally dedicated group of colleagues, volunteers, and friends of Birds Canada

To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter, resume (including names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of 3 references) to: Stuart Mackenzie, Director of Strategic Assets, Birds Canada. 519-586-3531(x 162) | smackenzie@birdscanada.org
Please Note:
Birds Canada is committed to improving levels of diversity among its volunteers, membership, staff, and board that reflects the diversity of communities across the country. In an effort to do so, we are actively tracking and seeking to improve our ability to reach all candidates with our job postings. Applicants belonging to racialized groups, who identify as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, or who have differing abilities are therefore welcome to self-identify in their cover letter, if they feel comfortable, although this is not a requirement.
We thank all applicants for their expressed interest and application, however, only those candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted