Motus Coordinator

Job Title: Motus Coordinator   

Organization: Lake Michigan Bird Observatory (LMBO)

Status: Full-time exempt

Reports To: Chief Scientist

About LMBO: The Lake Michigan Bird Observatory’s mission is to advance the conservation of birds in Wisconsin and throughout the Western Great Lakes Region through coordinated research, monitoring, and education. The Observatory’s programs are in service of a vision of a day when knowledge of birds is widespread, decisions affecting them are based on good science, and communcare about conservation and participate in it so that common species are kept common and imperiled populations are restored.

Location:  This is a hybrid position requiring some travel to conduct field work and meet with partners. Staff report in person to LMBO’s Port Washington, WI office once a week for a staff meeting. Permanent office space is available at LMBO’s Port Washington headquarters. The position requires a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Position Summary: The Motus Coordinator is responsible for the safe, accurate and consistent installation, operation and maintenance of all Motus physical infrastructure in the LMBO network, providing logistical support, conducting regular maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, ensuring LMBO Motus data are complete and accurate at all times, fostering and coordinating of partnerships to strategically grow the Motus network, developing curriculum and educational material as time allows, and generally ensuring that Motus activities are being performed. The Motus Coordinator will also develop and conduct research in collaboration with the Chief Scientist and others.

The position requires a high level of organization, initiative, technical equipment skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, and computer skills. While the focus of this position is the Motus Network in Wisconsin and the surrounding region, the Coordinator will also be expected to help with operational tasks for other LMBO initiatives as needed and as time permits. Over time, as the number of installed Motus towers is optimal for Wisconsin, this position will slowly transition to focus primarily on Motus maintenance and research. The Coordinator will be supervised by the Chief Scientist of the Observatory.

Primary Responsibilities

Motus installation, maintenance, and expansion of LMBO Motus Network

• Installs Motus stations or coordinates the installation of Motus stations in Wisconsin and potentially the surrounding states.
• Ensures that all LMBO network Motus stations are operating optimally at all times, as reasonably possible.
• Ensures that all project summaries, station, and tag metadata related to LMBO projects are complete and accurate in the Motus database.
• Visits and inspects all stations in the LMBO network, typically two times per calendar year.
• Continually looks to improve the operations of individual stations and the entire network through upgrades to equipment, better positioning, appropriate site locations, or addition of new sites.
• Seeks funding sources for support of Motus infrastructure and projects.
• Supports the Chief Scientist and Community Giving Coordinator as needed in the development of grant proposals.
• Gives public presentations to the general public on Motus migration tracking and LMBO’s Motus work as needed.
• Ensures that all Motus equipment in storage are kept clean, maintained, and organized.
• Liaises with key partners in the government, non-profit and private sector to facilitate use, maintenance, and expansion of the Motus network to meet objectives of the Motus program, and provides technical expertise to partners as needed.
• Ensures that permits and agreements with partners or other entities are up to date and accurate.
• Builds relationships with Motus partners that may include future bird conservation projects in collaboration with LMBO.
• Recruits and trains new volunteers to perform checks on certain Motus stations and continues to be the point of contact with all Motus volunteers.

Collaborative Research

• Coordinates with Chief Scientist and collaborating researchers, participates in and/or facilitates research as agreed upon/needed, or as time and budgets allow.
• Leads or assists in LMBO diverse bird conservation projects as needed.
• Manages data collection, compilation, and proper storage/back-up from collaborating researchers.
• Answers questions and troubleshoots problems with collaborators related to infrastructure and database function and maintenance.
• Continues to develop relationships with staff at our partner and headquarters location, Afterglow Farm, and assists them with ecological research needs such as bird population monitoring.
• Pursues opportunities to develop scientific research projects that support Motus or Afterglow Farm objectives as time allows.

Other

• Assists with LMBO special events (e.g. World Migratory Bird Day, Tree Giveaway, outreach events, and meetings) as required.
• Provides updates and reports on Motus for LMBO annual reports and other materials.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned by the Chief Scientist as time/resources allow.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. (or higher) and 3 years of work experience, in biology, ecology, spatial ecology, or conservation-related field. Other scientific fields considered with job experience working in conservation. Relevant graduate work can be used toward work experience.
• Understanding of threats to migratory birds.
• Understanding of scientific research and strong desire to participate and lead research projects.
• Working knowledge of bird migration ecology and related conservation issues.
• Strong bird identification skills, or a willingness to learn.
• High level of organization, initiative, interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability and strong interest in collaborating with other scientists and stakeholders.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs and walk over uneven terrain for up to three miles.
• Able to maintain a valid Driver’s License and provide proof of auto insurance.
• Willingness to assist in the operation of a small nonprofit, as needed.
• Be self-motivated and able to work effectively both independently and with a team.

Preferred Qualifications:       

• Demonstrated research experience, including experience in field work, data collection and management, use of different types of animal tracking technologies and movement data, including automated radio telemetry (Motus).
• Working knowledge of electrical/radio equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical computer programs, such as ArcGIS and R
• Bird banding experience and/or experience in attaching tracking tags (e.g., nanotags, geolocators, etc.) to birds.
• A self-starter, one who can think creatively about connections between birds, places, and people.

Compensation

Salary range: $49,000-53,000, annually

Vacation: 15 paid days off; 10 paid holidays; paid time off during LMBO winter closure

Benefits: 403(b) program for all staff; Health insurance (QSEHRA) program to begin in 2026.

Lake Michigan Observatory is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin and any other protected status.