Minnesota Bird Atlas Coordinator (Full time position, beginning July 2008 and expected to last 6 years)
Location: State Office, St. Paul, MN - Preferred, but location negotiable
Immediate Supervisor: Director of Bird Conservation
Division/Department:

Purpose of the position

We are seeking a Project Coordinator for the recently funded state-wide Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA) project.  The Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day activities of the project, providing materials and assistance to volunteer Regional Coordinators, recruiting volunteers, overseeing data gathering, editing and updating the Atlas website, along with other aspects of Atlas coordination as needed. 

The Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas project will be the most extensive survey of the state’s nesting birds ever attempted.  Working with a large number of partners and volunteers the project will provide a comprehensive overview of the species and distribution of the state’s birds in order to improve management techniques and conservation decision-making tools for bird conservation in Minnesota. The project will document the current distribution and relative abundance of breeding birds, identify critical habitat for species of concern in Minnesota, and produce base line data for monitoring future changes.

Specific duties of the Atlas Coordinator will be to:

• Recruit Atlas Regional Coordinators and work with them to recruit volunteers who will conduct breeding bird surveys throughout Minnesota.
• Organize workshops and training for volunteers.
• Manage BBA communications, including a handbook, protocols, website, and field forms.
• Work with contractors, partners, and public and private landowner.
• Maintain regular communication with the Breeding Bird Atlas Steering and Technical Committees and organize regular meetings of these committees.
• Help identify new sources of funding and develop funding proposals as needed. 

Relationships

Internal: The Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator will report to Audubon Minnesota’s Director of Bird Conservation.   S/he will work extensively with other Audubon staff.

External: Multiple partners in the bird conservation community; including governmental, public and non-profit conservation agencies and organizations, conservation scientists; the media; and the general public

Equipment: (e.g., computer, calculator, copy machines, telephone, etc.)

Must be able to effectively operate:

• Computers and related software (including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint).
• Standard office machines (telephone, copy machine, fax machine).
• An automobile.

Qualifications (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses and skills)

The successful candidate should possess the following:

• Be highly organized with an attention to details.
• Strong team building and facilitation skills.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Experience working cooperatively with a large number of partners, recruiting and maintaining volunteers.
• Be interested and passionate about Minnesota birds and their conservation
• Knowledge of the birds of Minnesota - e.g., identification, distribution, ecology, etc.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation, with the ability to lead in a dynamic team environment with limited direct supervision.
• Skills to develop public awareness activities, meeting deadlines, preparing reports, etc.
• Ability to travel statewide, and to work evenings and weekends, as needed; a valid driver’s license.
•  B.S. degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or related field preferred

Physical Requirements

Must be able to effectively operate:

• Computers and related software (including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint).
• Standard office machines (telephone, copy machine, fax machine),
• An automobile

Salary

$38,000 to $42,500/year, plus benefits (Salary to be commensurate with experience).  Plus fringe benefits

The National Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.

Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the man or woman best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or marital status.