Our mission at Point Blue Conservation Science is to conserve birds, other wildlife and ecosystems through science, partnerships, and outreach.
We have been assessing changes in our environment and advancing conservation through bird and ecosystem studies since our founding as Point Reyes Bird Observatory in 1965. Point Blue’s 140+ staff work to maximize nature’s benefits for wildlife and people in our rapidly changing world.
Individuals from underrepresented communities in science and conservation are strongly encouraged to apply. Increasing diversity, equity and inclusion at Point Blue and in our partnerships, is essential for the success of our mission, vision, and strategy. The work of diversity, equity and inclusion is not separate from our programmatic work or how we work at Point Blue; it is an integral part of our work every day.
This position will be based at Point Blue in the Antarctica Program and will be part of a multi-institution team that has been studying penguins and the Antarctic ecosystem for many decades. This productive collaboration between Point Blue, H.T Harvey, Oregon State University, and Arizona State University has led to the publication of more than 100 scientific journal articles; several of these articles were instrumental in justifying the need for the Ross Sea Marine Protected area, established in 2017 as one of the largest marine protected areas in the world. We continue to investigate questions such as: why are some colonies bigger than others, why do they occur where they do, what sort of environmental changes impact populations the most, and what is “normal” variability, with the goal of developing better understanding and sustainable management of the Antarctic ecosystem.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Biologist will be part of a team that studies Adélie penguin breeding and wintering ecology with the objective of increasing our understanding of population structuring of this and other species through time. Emphasis during the Biologist’s term will be on the long-term effects of early life conditions on individuals as they mature and use of devices deployed on penguins to monitor environmental change. Please see the research page here for more specifics about the current project. Field work will involve a deployment of ~4 months (October-February) in Antarctica (pending approval of NSF and medical clearance). While in Antarctica, the Biologist will be stationed at a small field camp (2-5 people) at one of the penguin colonies on Ross Island. The field crew works out of a small hut, sleeping in tents, accessible in good weather conditions only by helicopter from McMurdo station, which in turn is only accessible by military aircraft from New Zealand. Living conditions in the field are rustic, communal space is cramped, there is no running water (no showers). Temperatures range from -20 to +10 °C, with intermittent severe wind and snowstorms. The Biologist will participate in several unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys and will be required to obtain FAA certification as a remote pilot prior to deployment to Antarctica. The remainder of the position will be based out of Point Blue headquarters in Petaluma, California. Working remotely outside the field season is supported.
The Biologist will benefit from exposure to key concepts and skills in the following areas:
- Field methods in ecology and conservation biologys
- Broader context of polar biology and climate changes
- Safety and logistical challenges of working in Antarcticas
- The scientific process and the role of natural history observation in guiding meaningful research and conservations
- Critical thinking and evaluation of research and conservations
- Climate-smart conservations
- Science communications
- Data management and analysiss
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position will participate in all aspects of the project from field work and field-logistics, data management and analysis, literature review, and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Responsibilities while in the field (up to 4 months of the year): Collect data on many aspects of the species’ breeding and wintering ecology. Including:
- Searching for banded (known-age) penguins and recording their nesting statuss
- Deploying and maintaining automated scale and PIT-tag readers
- Deploying biologging devices on individual penguins to track movement and behaviors
- Measuring chicks and recording observations of chick diets
- Surveying for whales and pinnipedss
- Conducting UAV surveys to photograph and census nesting adults and chickss
- Data entry and proofings
Non-field responsibilities:
- Data management (50%)
-Data quality assurance
-Annual summaries and reports
-Maintain existing long-term databases
-Develop and maintain data collection and entry protocolss - Additional projects and activities as developed with supervisor (40%)s
SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
- A college degree by the time of employments
- An interest in the field of conservations
- At least one season of field biology experience, seabird experience preferreds
- Effective written and verbal communication skillss
- An eagerness to learns
- Attention to detail and patiences
- Teamwork skills- ability to communicate well, actively listen, and be responsible.s
- Interest in learning to conduct UAV surveys and ability to obtain FAA Remote Pilot certification (written exam)s
- Enjoy living and working in challenging outdoor environments:
-ability to carry a 40+ lb backpack daily on steep terrain with uneven footing
-tolerance of cold, wind, and dirty working conditions
-ability to go for several months without running water or internet
-ability to sleep on the ground in a tent with 24 hour daylights - Skills or interest in:
-developing code for data analysis and visualization
-image analysiss
-scientific writings
-manuscript preparation - Have the ability to work in the United States
Successful applicants will need to complete a medical examination as required by the US Antarctic Program prior to deployment to Antarctica and be fully vaccinated for influenza and COVID-19. More information about the physical qualification policy is available here and here.
COMPENSATION
Starting salary is $41,603 commensurate with experience. Point Blue Conservation Science offers a competitive benefits package as well as training and professional development opportunities.
All expenses related to training and travel to Antarctica will be covered (including FAA remote pilot certification and Wilderness First Aid certification). Extreme cold weather clothing provided by the US Antarctic Program.
PROGRAM: Ecoinformatics and Climate Solutions/Antarctica Program
REPORTS TO: Annie Schmidt, Antarctica Program Director
STATUS: Full-Time, 12 month position with full benefits
LOCATION: Petaluma CA and Antarctica
START DATE: On or after July 15, 2022
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 8, 2022
