Organization: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Role: Piping Plover Technician (PPT) Location: Center, North Dakota (John E. Williams Preserve) Pay Rate: $22.50 – $24.90 per hour (DOE) Contract: Seasonal (May 4, 2026 – August 14, 2026) Housing: Provided at NO COST (Cross Ranch Crew House) Deadline: Open Until Filled (Apply Immediately)
For birders, field biologists, and conservationists, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has opened applications for one of its most sought-after seasonal roles: the Piping Plover Technician.
This is not a volunteer gig. It is a highly competitive, well-paid field position (up to ~$25/hr) designed for professionals ready to protect one of North America’s most iconic threatened shorebirds. Based at the expansive John E. Williams Preserve in North Dakota, you will spend your summer on the alkali beaches, monitoring nests and ensuring the survival of the next generation of Piping Plovers.
With free housing included, this role offers a rare opportunity to bank significant savings while adding a prestigious TNC field season to your CV.
Also check Office Support Role (Entry Level) – Pratham Education Foundation
Table of Contents
Background & Job Description
The John E. Williams Preserve is a critical breeding ground for the federally threatened Piping Plover. TNC manages this landscape specifically to maintain the gravel beaches and alkali wetlands these birds need to survive.
As a Piping Plover Technician, you are the eyes and ears on the ground. Your primary mission is Demographic Monitoring. You will track the birds from the moment they arrive to the moment their chicks fledge. This data is vital for federal recovery plans and guides TNC’s habitat management strategies.
This position fits into broader organizational goals of Biodiversity Protection. By securing the reproductive success of this indicator species, you help validate the health of the entire prairie pothole ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
This is a rugged, field-intensive role. You will be working outdoors in variable weather (heat, wind, rain) on uneven terrain.
- Population Monitoring:
- Conduct daily surveys to locate Piping Plover adults and territories.
- Find nests and monitor their fate (hatched, predated, or washed out).
- Track chicks until they are “fledging age” (able to fly), determining survival rates.
- Data Management:
- Use GPS units and tablets to record precise spatial data for every nest.
- Participate in research on habitat enhancement, helping scientists understand how vegetation management affects nesting success.
- Compile a comprehensive Final Report at the end of the season summarizing all monitoring activities.
- Field Operations:
- Operate 4×4 trucks, ATVs, and possibly motorboats to access remote sections of the preserve.
- Maintain field equipment and vehicle logs.
Field Technician (Bird Conservation): The Nature Conservancy 2026 (Housing Provided)
Qualifications
TNC is looking for candidates who are self-reliant, scientifically rigorous, and passionate about ornithology.
Essential Requirements
- Education: Associate’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, or Biology (or equivalent combination of education and 6 months of experience).
- Experience: Prior experience collecting field data and following scientific protocols.
- Driver’s License: Valid license required (you will be driving TNC vehicles frequently).
- Soft Skills: Ability to work long, irregular hours with a small crew.
Preferred Qualifications (The “Nice-to-Haves”)
- Bird Identification: Strong skills in identifying shorebirds by sight and sound (specifically Plovers).
- Fieldcraft: Experience with trailering boats, driving off-road (ATV/UTV), and using hand tools.
- Tech: Proficiency with ArcGIS Field Maps, GPS units, and Microsoft Excel.
- Education: 2+ years of background in natural resource management or ornithology.
Why Apply for This Position
1. Top-Tier Field Pay Most seasonal field tech jobs pay minimum wage. TNC pays $22.50 – $24.90/hour. For a 40-hour week, that is a gross monthly income of approximately $3,600 – $4,000.
2. Free Housing = Pure Savings TNC provides housing and basic utilities at the Cross Ranch Crew House at no cost to you. Without rent or utility bills, you can save the vast majority of your paycheck.
3. Career Credibility The Nature Conservancy is the world’s largest environmental non-profit. Having TNC on your resume signals to future employers (federal agencies, consulting firms, universities) that you have been trained to the highest safety and scientific standards.
4. The Location You will live and work in the legendary Prairie Pothole Region, a global hotspot for waterfowl and shorebirds. It is a birder’s paradise.
Application Tips & Insights
1. Highlight “Shorebird” Experience If you have ever monitored Piping Plovers, Least Terns, or Snowy Plovers, mention it in the first paragraph of your cover letter. Nest searching for these cryptic species is a specific skill.
2. Address “Field Hardiness” North Dakota weather is unpredictable. Mention your ability to work in heat, bugs, and rain. Employers need to know you won’t quit after the first week of mosquitoes.
3. Tailor Your Resume List your field skills explicitly: “GPS Navigation,” “4WD Experience,” “Data Entry,” “Bird Banding” (if applicable).
How to Apply
- Visit the TNC Careers Portal.
- Search: Use Job ID JR101228 or search for “Piping Plover Technician.”
- Apply: Upload your Resume and Cover Letter.
- Deadline: The position is “Open Until Filled.” These roles typically fill by late January/early February, so apply immediately.
Pro Tip: TNC often hires for similar roles in other states (e.g., Virginia Coast Reserve, Massachusetts). If you are open to other locations, search for “Shorebird Technician” or “Coastal Tech” on their site as well.
Suggested Focus Keywords
The Nature Conservancy Jobs, Wildlife Technician Jobs 2026, Piping Plover Monitoring, Bird Conservation Careers, Seasonal Field Jobs with Housing, Ornithology Field Tech, North Dakota Conservation Jobs, High Paying Wildlife Jobs
