Wildlife Ecology Project Manager

The Nantucket Conservation Foundation (NCF) is a non-profit land trust that holds approximately 9,010 acres of permanently protected land on Nantucket Island. Our Ecological Research, Stewardship and Restoration Department seeks a Wildlife Ecology Project Manager to conduct and oversee field work related to our Wildlife Ecology Research Program and supervise seasonal field staff. Candidates must have strong wildlife-related field work experience, and be independent, motivated, enthusiastic, and self-reliant.

Location: The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is located on Nantucket Island, MA ~ 30 miles south of Cape Cod. Nantucket is dominated by sandplain grasslands, coastal heathlands, and scrub oak shrublands (all rare habitats in the Northeast) as well as barrier beaches, coastal plain ponds and tidal marshes. For more information on our mission and research projects, please see the Foundation’s website (www.nantucketconservation.org).

Specific Responsibilities:

In coordination with the Director of Research, oversee the Wildlife Ecology Research Program of the Department of Ecological Research, Stewardship and Restoration, including but not limited to the following:

1)      Hire, train and supervise seasonal field assistant(s), Shorebird Monitor, Coatue Ranger, volunteer(s);

2)      Survey and monitor spotted turtle populations as part of wetland restoration and land management projects, through trapping, marking and radio-telemetry;

3)      Bat population monitoring through deployment of acoustic detectors and lures, mist-netting, and radio telemetry to locate maternity roosts and winter hibernacula;

4)      Assist with shorebird population monitoring, nest searching, banding of American Oystercatchers; maintaining fencing and interacting with the public on beaches; coordinate with and assist the Coatue Ranger with shorebird monitoring on Coatue;

5)      Monitor horseshoe crab populations on harbor beaches during day and night high tides and recruit and train volunteers to assist in this long-term project;

6)      Coordinate and conduct surveys for Eastern Whippoorwills, American Woodcock, and other bird populations of interest;

7)      Monitor for invasive insect presence, e.g. Southern Pine Beetles and Spotted Lantern Fly; coordinating staff and volunteer survey effort.

8)      Conduct surveys of tick species presence and abundance on NCF properties and trail networks;

9)      Data entry and quality control, data summarization and end of season report writing; Creating maps using ArcGIS software and apps including ArcPro, Field Maps and Survey123.

10)  Participation in environmental education and interpretive events as well as assisting with events related to development and/or fundraising activities as needed.

11)  Contribute to Department of Ecological Research, Stewardship and Restoration activities, social media, educational outreach, etc.

12)  Occasional collaboration and coordination on projects with partner conservation organizations on Nantucket.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: This is a field work intensive position, and applicants must be able to tolerate long field days with potentially adverse field conditions including inclement weather, variable terrain, poison ivy and biting insects (mosquitoes, ticks). Nantucket is an area with a high incidence of tick-borne disease so precautions to minimize risk are encouraged. The work involves hiking, standing, bending, kneeling, and hauling field gear on a routine basis, and work is often at night and in the dark.

1)      Master’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology and/or Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related biological/ecological field. Candidates with a B.S. in similar field with extensive work-related experience would be considered.

2)      At least three years of field work experience required, with experience in wildlife monitoring and handling of various wildlife species.

3)      Proven organizational skills and ability to independently prioritize, plan, lead, and oversee multiple projects.

4)      Experience in experimental design, field work (especially in wildlife monitoring and handling), data collection, quality control and data analysis and summarization.

5)      Proven ability to effectively supervise, mentor, and develop team members, including providing feedback, setting performance goals, supporting professional growth, and fostering a positive, collaborative work environment.

6)      Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, tailor messaging to different stakeholders, and produce high-quality reporting.

7)      Candidate must have or be willing to receive prior to start a full series of rabies pre-exposure vaccine and be able to provide proof of rabies vaccine titre levels.

8)      Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and data analysis software.

9)      A valid driver’s license is required.

Desired Qualifications: Previous shorebird monitoring, bat, bird and other wildlife handling experience is strongly preferred. Experience with radio telemetry. Proficiency with ArcPro software and other ESRI products.

Dates/Hours: This is a full-time, year-round exempt position beginning in November 2025; exact date is somewhat flexible. Hours are generally 40 hours per week, generally during normal business hours from Monday through Friday. Daily hours variable depending on particular projects: early-morning and late-night field work will be required depending on project, weather, tides, etc. Weekend work will occasionally be required for certain field projects and non-profit events, especially during the summer season.

Wages/Benefits: Wage is $60,000, based on a 40-hour work week. Housing is provided in a shared, employee house for rent. Work-related transportation is provided during working hours. Eligible to participate in the Foundation’s full-time employee benefit plans and programs (subject to required waiting periods) including group health insurance, group life and accidental death insurance, disability insurance, dental insurance, 401k plan, paid employee vacation and sick time, and paid holidays.

TO APPLY:

Application deadline is Friday, October 31, 2025 by 5pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to submit materials early.

Completed application should include a cover letter, resume, contact information for three professional references and an unofficial copy of your college/graduate transcripts. Please combine all these documents in to ONE PDF file and submit to this website only: https://apply.workable.com/nantucket-conservation-foundation/

Questions may be directed to Danielle O’Dell (Director of Research) at [email protected] but applications will not be accepted at this email.