Outreach Biologist Assistant

Position Summary:

The Outreach Biologist Assistant supports the mission of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) by leading outreach programs, forming community-based partnerships, coordinating volunteers, conducting conservation research and monitoring, and reporting on this research in order to preserve and grow Whooping Crane and Sandhill Crane populations.

The incumbent will be supported by the Lead Outreach Biologist and will be in communication and will coordinate projects with the Whooping Crane Project Manager.  The Outreach Biologist Assistant will lead community outreach efforts including engaging with hunters, naturalists, K-12 audiences, and more across western Indiana. They will also lead data collection for a research project investigating the impact of solar energy development on cranes in northwestern Indiana and they will contribute to research and monitoring efforts on the wintering grounds of the reintroduced population of Whooping Cranes, including working with partners, landowners, and volunteers. Field data collection will include using radio telemetry and band-resighting to monitor individual cranes, recording behavioral observations, conducting point-count surveys, and more.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary duties of the Outreach Biologist Assistant will be to conduct the Whooping Crane awareness program in Indiana areas and contribute to research projects on the wintering grounds of the Eastern Migratory Population of Whooping Cranes and Greater Sandhill Cranes.

• Provide virtual and in-person outreach programming to K-12 classrooms, civic organizations, hunting groups, gun clubs, birding groups, zoos, and other key organizations near Whooping Crane use areas or in large cities.
• Form and maintain partnerships with hunters, landowners, volunteers, partners, and other citizens who monitor or keep watch over the Whooping Cranes in their areas.
• Assist ICF staff with outreach efforts to raise awareness about Whooping Cranes in Indiana, including media interviews, leading naturalist programs, contributing written articles or social media posts, and coordinating the distribution of marketing materials. 
• Lead field data collection efforts for a cranes and solar energy research project in northwestern Indiana. Travel to survey sites and collect crane habitat use and displacement data.
• Use radio telemetry and band re-sightings to conduct Whooping Crane surveys at wintering grounds and contribute to long-term monitoring of the population. Collect crane behavior and habitat use information via visual and behavioral video observations.
• Work with community partners and volunteers to collect field data for wintering crane research projects and provide training to these groups to help ICF at outreach events.
• Assist the Whooping Crane Project Manager and partners with preparing for and conducting Whooping Crane captures for transmitter replacement.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work cooperatively with individuals across departments, making valuable contributions to shared projects and assisting with the outputs of others. Commit to the free sharing of information and technical expertise as needed. Communicate clearly and effectively within a team.
• Work within the department to coordinate equipment distribution and inventory for field data collection. Assist with writing reports and scientific research papers, in accordance with the department’s overall research objectives.
• Enter data into a shared database in a timely fashion after conducting surveys, completing outreach programs, or collecting other data in the field.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Oral communication: Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate conservation messages to a wide range of audiences, from individuals to lecture halls.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Work cooperatively with individuals across departments, making valuable contributions to shared projects and assisting with outputs of others. 
• Written Communication: Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to effectively proofread and edit reports and correspondence in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner while utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. 
• Detail-oriented: Carefully monitors the details and quality of own and others’ work, ensuring accuracy and effectiveness of l projects and products. Setting goals and reaching them.
• Organization and Time Management: Manage multiple concurrent and competing priorities in a fast-paced workplace, using appropriate manual and electronic resources to ensure timely completion.
• Customer Service: Very strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, landowners, volunteers, and partners showing respect and sensitivity for others; inspire trust; and work with integrity.
• Project Management: Demonstrated experience independently leading projects, providing metrics of milestones and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently on project planning and coordinating with external partners.