The Important Bird Areas Program Site Assessment Coordinator will be responsible for leading Audubon’s efforts in developing and implementing the approach to assessing the state, pressure, and response of Important Bird Areas in the U.S.  Modeled after BirdLife International’s IBA monitoring framework, Audubon’s site assessment tools will allow for a unified approach to understanding the major threats, bird population status, habitat condition and significant conservation actions occurring at IBAs.  This is an essential aspect of the Important Bird Areas Program, which is Audubon’s centerpiece conservation program.  This is an integral part of the organization’s mission 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. 

Essential Functions:

Lead an internal team of Audubon staff, from science, education, and field divisions in the development, testing, and implementation of the IBA Site Assessment approach.  This will involve convening and coordinating meetings and workshops, developing and testing field protocols, assisting in the development of the relevant data storage and reporting tools, and assisting with the training of staff and volunteers.  The IBA Site Assessment Coordinator will have a keen knowledge of bird conservation issues and partnerships throughout the U.S., will be skilled in basic bird monitoring techniques, habitat assessment techniques, and have an understanding of the threat and conservation action taxonomies as defined by the Conservation Measures Partnership and IUCN. 

Specifically this position will:

• Work with Audubon staff to finalize the IBA Site Assessment protocol.
• Ensure that the IBA Site Assessment approach is aligned and integrates with BirdLife International’s monitoring framework, Audubon at Home monitoring efforts, the Christmas Bird Count, the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network’s site assessment approach, and other relevant state, federal, and conservation organization site assessment programs. 
• Be the point of contact for IBA Monitoring and Site Assessment within Audubon.
• Develop an IBA Site Assessment implementation time table that includes the testing, finalization and release of the IBA Site Assessment approach.
• Work with national and field staff to develop a schedule for conducting IBA site assessment training workshops for staff and volunteers throughout the Important Bird Areas Program (currently active in 48 states). 
• Work with state and national IBA staff to ensure that IBA Site Assessments are completed for all global IBAs within the next three years. 

Additional Functions:

Other activities that this position will be involved with include:

• Assisting with the development of the Important Bird Areas Database. 
• Assist with the development of web content for the IBA Program’s Site Assessment.
• Data entry into the Important Bird Areas Database.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Internal:

Director of the Important Bird Areas Program as immediate supervisor.  Strong interrelationships with national and state level IBA Program, science, education, and field staff. 

External:

Extensive contact with IBA program partners this includes: Audubon chapter members, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, donors, media, and volunteers.

Familiarity if not expertise with Microsoft Excel, Power Point Word and other desktop applications.  Ability to use ArcView GIS software for map presentation. 

Annual Performance Management Plan (PMP)

Masters Degree or higher in conservation biology, wildlife management, ornithology, natural resources, or equivalent and at least three years work experience in the conservation profession or related field.  Candidate should have a keen interest in and familiarity if not expertise with site-based conservation planning and implementation, bird conservation, avian monitoring, habitat characterization and threat assessment methodologies. 

The candidate should have exceptional public speaking, public presentation, and writing skills.  Additionally, an understanding and appreciation for working for a decentralized organization where excellent communication skills are essential.  Ability to organize and coordinate large projects, and an attention to details are essential.  Willingness to travel and work weekends and nights as required.  Fundraising experience is beneficial.

Not specified at this time.

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 (handicap) or marital status.