Seasonal Ornithologist

Audubon’s Starr Ranch Sanctuary

Trabuco Canyon, CA

Description: Audubon California’s 4000-acre Starr Ranch Sanctuary in southeast Orange County, California solicits applicants for a position as Seasonal Ornithologist from January 21 (January 20 Martin Luther King Day), 2025 through July 25, 2025.

This position will continue long term surveys of songbird species of the rare habitats, coastal sage scrub and cactus scrub, including long term surveys of the federally threatened Coastal California Gnatcatcher and also the Coastal Cactus Wren. Will continue surveys of songbirds in oak woodlands and the main riparian corridor on Starr Ranch as well as continue raptor surveys. Protocols were developed by Starr Ranch ornithologists in collaboration with professional ornithologists with expertise in each species. Will do mapping, data entry, data summaries and summarize point count and other data in reports at season’s end.

Opportunity to do bird monitoring that is integrated into Starr Ranch land management, conservation, and education programs. Training will be given for instruction of a few of our “Ecology Programs” that integrate bird and other wildlife research into education programs to be offered to kids and adults 2 – 3 half days per week. We seek applicants who are enthusiastic, dedicated, organized, self-starting and thorough. Opportunity to live in a private cabin on our 4000-acre Sanctuary. 

Salary: $27/hr plus housing in a private cabin in an oak woodland.

Qualifications:  Master’s degree preferred in biology or ecology with strong ornithological background and experience. Strong background in bird monitoring techniques and data summarizing using mostly MS Excel databases (point counts, other) essential. Mapping experience (GIS, Google Earth) preferred. Strong knowledge and interest in birds and bird watching and general natural history of animals and their habitats.  Enthusiasm for working with kids and adults.

To Apply: 

Please upload your cover letter stating career goals and CV that includes contact information for 2-3 references to the confidential Audubon career center https://audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Audubon. The most qualified candidates will be contacted for a phone interview. For questions, please contact Dr. DeSimone at sandy.desimone@audubon.org. 

For More Information:  sdesimone@audubon.org ; www.starr-ranch.org; https://www.facebook.com/audubonstarrranch