Seasonal Shorebird Enforcement Ranger

Description

The Trustees of Reservations are seeking an individual to enforce rules and regulations protecting beach nesting birds on our Martha’s Vineyard coastal properties. The Shorebird Enforcement Ranger will support a larger beach operations team focused on the protection of rare and vulnerable shorebirds, beach resiliency, and public access. The position will be responsible for patrolling three beach properties on the Island of Chappaquiddick, Martha’s Vineyard, comprising a contiguous 10-miles of beach: Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Leland Beach, and Wasque Reservation. This idyllic beach complex provides critical habitat for a number of threatened shorebird species in addition to being a popular outdoor recreation destination. With high visitation in the summer months, comes increased human-wildlife interactions. Human disturbance is one factor that negatively impacts shorebird nesting success. In an effort to improve shorebird nesting productivity while upholding The Trustees mission to provide public use and enjoyment of special places, this new position seeks to improve visitor compliance of existing regulations and demonstrate rare species protection and public use of coastal beaches is compatible. This is a seasonal, full-time position supervised by the Coastal Ecologist and is expected to begin in June and extend through August.

Essential Functions:

• Patrol beaches, particularly in priority shorebird areas.

• Engage visitors committing violations and resolve using principles of conflict resolution.

• Help educate visitors about shorebird and barrier beach management (i.e., beach ambassador approach) to improve compliance with regulations.

• Issue warnings and OSV permit revocations.

• Coordinate with the staff team daily to review developing issues and enforcement needs through scheduled meetings and daily interactions.

• Assist shorebird staff with daily management of fencing and signage important for regulatory compliance.

• Work with local and regional law enforcement to foster relationships that improve communication and enforcement of regulations.

• Record violations and complete weekly and end of season internal enforcement reports.

Qualifications

• Experience engaging the public in compliance of rules and regulations.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• The ability to, or willingness to learn how to identify shorebirds.

• Ability to understand and enforce guidelines and laws protecting beach nesting birds.

• The ability to work independently and closely with other staff and the public.

Preferred Applicants will have:

• Experience in regulatory enforcement or equivalent related profession.

• Familiarity with shorebird protection laws and guidelines.

• Basic data collection and data management skills (e.g., Excel).

• Experience working in coastal environments/communities.

• Basic computer skills and experience using the Microsoft Office suite.

• Passion for the natural world and resource conservation.

Other Requirements:

Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.

Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting, and driving.

Position type and expected hours of work—full time or part time, typical work hours and shifts, days of week.

• The ability to work outdoors for many hours a day.

• Ability to walk on uneven, sandy terrain.

• The ability to lift/carry 30 pounds.

• The ability to work weekends, holidays, and occasional irregular hours.

• Driving on the beach is an essential function of this job, a valid driver’s license as well as a satisfactory driving record is required as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. Prior experience with driving on the beach is not required and beach driving training will be provided.

• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI).

About The Trustees

The Trustees places are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000 acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. We are a non-profit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households

Our seasonal staff plays an integral role in ensuring that our visitors enjoy our extraordinary places. With the change to warmer temperatures, we experience an influx of visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. Sandy beaches, wooded trails, cultural gardens, historic homes, community supported agriculture—there are many ways for visitors to discover and explore The Trustees, and just as many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.

The Trustees offers competitive compensation, as well as the opportunity to be part of a dedicated team across the Commonwealth who love the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, and who believe in celebrating and protecting our special places, for everyone, forever.

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

Our commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity

Salary : $24,300 - $30,800