Bird Conservation Assistant, Palmyra Atoll

Application Instructions:

Please note that the application period ends at 12:00 am Eastern Time on the due date listed and be mindful that the deadline in your location may be earlier due to the difference in time zone.

What We Can Achieve Together:

Located 1,000 miles south of Hawai'i, TNC's Palmyra Preserve is located in the middle of one of the most spectacular marine wilderness areas on Earth. Palmyra Atoll has 580 acres of emergent land with 480,000 acres of lagoons, coral reefs, and submerged lands and is a US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge out to 12 nautical miles from shore and a Marine National Monument out to 50 miles. The Nature Conservancy owns and cares for 230 acres of land and manages this property in partnership with the USFWS. TNC maintains wildlife habitat and owns and operates a conservation research station on the preserve focused on ecosystem adaptation and resilience to climate change.

Bird Conservation Assistants have the exciting opportunity to participate in an innovative conservation program aimed at establishing the first wild population of Sihek (Guam kingfisher, Todiramphus cinnamominus ) in 36 years. Each Bird Conservation Assistant will be on assignment for approximately 2.5 months and will be based at Palmyra Atoll, where Sihek were first released in September 2024. This job posting will be used to hire an Assistant for an assignment between late January to mid-April 2027.

The Bird Conservation Assistant will work closely in the field with a staff Bird Conservation Specialist but will be expected to work independently and autonomously on a regular basis. Training will be provided in core daily tasks, including bird population surveys, behavioral monitoring, and data entry. Depending on the current project activities, additional activities may include assisting with radio telemetry tracking, captive husbandry, health screenings, ecological surveys, aviary construction, and public outreach.

This position will be hosted by The Nature Conservancy in affiliation with the Zoological Society of London. Accommodation and all meals are provided at a remote but well-equipped field station run by The Nature Conservancy. The Bird Conservation Assistant is expected to work 6 days per week during their time at Palmyra. Alongside core tasks, all staff and volunteers contribute to community-based functions, including regular cleaning and station maintenance duties and occasional support on other conservation projects.

TNC will cover travel expenses from the Bird Conservation Assistant's home to Honolulu. During the week prior to traveling to Palmyra, the Bird Conservation Assistant will participate in orientation trainings in Honolulu or virtually that give an overview of TNC's mission, values, and Code of Conduct, and of the Palmyra Program, including the Sihek Recovery Project. TNC will also provide round-trip travel to Palmyra from Honolulu, board and lodging at Palmyra, and key supplies and equipment for the two-month term at Palmyra. TNC also provides remote medical coverage for non-emergency physician and emergency evacuation insurance for all staff and volunteers at Palmyra.

We’re Looking for You:

Want to help a species recover from the brink of extinction? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together.

To support this innovative conservation program, we're looking for someone who is passionate about avian conservation and research; motivated to learn, problem solve, and collaborate with others in remote fieldwork scenarios; and familiar and experienced with Pacific Island culture and natural history. As a Bird Conservation Assistant at Palmyra Atoll, you will work closely with TNC's Palmyra Program team, and all our partners focused on the recovery of the charismatic Sihek, including team members with Zoological Society of London, Guam Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). You will have the unique opportunity to be part of the conservation introduction of Sihek to Palmyra Atoll, learning from our on-the-ground Bird Conservation Specialists as you gain experience in avian population and behavioral monitoring.

If you are eager to be part of a dedicated group that supports scientific research and conservation of island systems, apply today!

What You’ll Bring:

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- High school diploma/GED and 1 year's training or related experience in biological science, conservation science, or natural resource management.
- Experience recognizing plant and animal species.
- Experience following established protocols and recording data.
- Familiarity and experience with Pacific Island culture and natural history.
- Basic field experience monitoring bird populations and behaviors and/or bird husbandry and care experience preferred.
- Experience living and/or working in remote environments or small communities.
- Experience performing work that requires physical mobility in a hot, humid, wet, and salty environment; comfort around water, including swimming and boating; and ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Salary Information:

The pay for this position will be $22.03 per hour . Candidates must have US work authorization to be considered for this position.

Who We Are :

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit   Glassdoor .

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

What We Bring:

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here .

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.