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Benefits:

Gratis Lodging No Pets/No Smoking
Paid Holidays
Training & development

SEASONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (8) needed for monitoring of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Florida Grasshopper Sparrows, and other ground-nesting birds at Avon Park Air Force Range and DeLuca Preserve in south-central Florida.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Science, related field, or equivalent experience
Demonstrated ability to navigate and work alone in the field
Ability to re-sight color banded birds
Experience operating 4WD vehicles, excellent judgment when navigating poor roads (loose sand, mud holes, standing water)
Ability to hike several kilometers over uneven terrain while carrying up to 40lbs of equipment
Diligence when following protocols and entering data
Willingness to work on an active military base (Avon Park Air Force Range) or active cattle ranch (DeLuca Preserve)
Willingness to work a non-regular schedule that may include some weekends
Tolerance for Florida’s high heat and humidity, and abundance of biting insects
Dedication, sensitivity, and attention to detail when working with threatened and endangered species
Good and responsive communication with supervisors, coworkers, and housemates
Willingness to comply with Archbold and Federal Covid-19 prevention guidelines, which includes mandatory vaccination for shared housing and wearing masks in indoor workspaces when case numbers are high.
US citizenship or a US work visa is required.
Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle to access off-site housing. Field vehicles will be provided.

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Assistants (4)

Four assistants needed starting March 3, 2025 for approximately 6 months (2 at Avon Park Air Force Range and 2 at DeLuca Preserve). Primary duties include conducting FGSP point count and transect surveys, reading color bands, finding and monitoring nests, installing predator exclusion equipment, conducting habitat surveys, and treating invasive fire ants. Competitive applicants will have experience:

Identifying species of the Eastern flyway by sight and sound
Conducting point count surveys
Working with grassland birds and/or sparrows
Nest-searching for ground nesting birds using behavior cues
Ability to maintain focus during early mornings to detect elusive birds and collect behavioral information on reproductive

Ground-nesting Bird Assistants (2 technicians, 1 crew leader)

Two assistants needed starting March 3, 2025 for approximately 6 months. One crew leader needed starting April 24, 2025 for approximately 6 months. Primary duties include conducting point count surveys, reading color bands, finding and monitoring nests of ground-nesting birds (primarily Eastern Meadowlark, Bachman’s Sparrow, and Common Nighthawk), and assisting with Florida Grasshopper Sparrow work as needed. Competitive applicants will have experience:

Identifying species of the Eastern flyway by sight and sound
Conducting point count surveys
Working with grassland birds, especially sparrows or meadowlarks
Nest-searching for ground nesting birds using behavior cues
Monitoring bird nests and/or resighting fledglings
Ability to maintain focus during early mornings to detect elusive birds and collect behavioral information on reproductive status

Crew leader additional responsibilities: Overseeing field work, coordinating travel between field sites, collaborating with project leads, establishing field priorities, managing data collection
Crew leader compensation: $16.75/hour

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Assistant (1)

One assistant needed starting March 3, 2025 for approximately 6 months. Primary duties include identifying birds by reading color bands, monitoring nest attempts using peeper cameras, performing cavity maintenance activities (which involves climbing Swedish ladders up to 30 ft. high), and entering and managing data. Competitive applicants will have experience:

Reading color bands
Monitoring bird nests (especially nests of cavity nesting species)
Watching, recording, and interpreting bird behavior
Entering, proofing, and summarizing data in Access

These positions are associated with Archbold Biological Station’s Conservation Science of Military Lands Program, headed by Dr. Todd Jones. Archbold researchers have been studying and conserving endangered species at the Avon Park Air Force Range since 1993. Avon Park Air Force Range is a 106,000-acre military installation that protects some of the best examples of native habitats in the region. DeLuca Preserve is a 27,000-acre Conservation Easement and working cattle ranch managed by Ducks Unlimited and the University of Florida located within the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape (learn more) near Kenansville, FL. For more information about our program see our lab website: https://www.archbold-station.org/programs/conservation-of-military-landscapes/

How to Apply:
Applicants are asked to upload a cover letter, resume or CV, and contact information for three references as a single pdf titled with the applicant’s surname. Cover letters should link the applicant’s experience to the job responsibilities and qualifications, highlighting relevant experience from their CV. Application review will begin November 18th and continue until positions are filled.
Please apply before Nov 18th to receive full consideration. Questions can be directed to Mary Marine (mmarine@archbold-station.org)

Compensation: $15.25 per hour

Archbold is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected status. Archbold will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Archbold stands proud of its collaborative culture and all dimensions of diversity in the workplace equally and works to ensure that everyone feels a sense of inclusion and belonging.

Archbold's mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida, and beyond. Archbold’s footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast, open ranchlands of Central Florida; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts, touching the lives of millions of Floridians. Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders as ecosystems: as complex networks shaped by measurable natural processes. Our dozens of research sites encompass the pristine sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge; the ranchlands and wetlands that make up much of Central Florida; and the rivers that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and beyond.

Today Archbold stewards a rich mosaic of natural habitats, native ecosystems, working lands, and historic buildings at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. The Station and the Ranch serve as the place-based crucible for our innovative science, conservation, and education programs. These draw from a long, deep history, dating back from our beginnings, founded by Richard Archbold in 1941.

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Exposure to peanuts and/or peanut residue at the Avon Park office is unavoidable. However, it's important to note that individuals with 'milder' peanut allergies, who are unable to consume peanuts or peanut products but are okay being around them, have safely and successfully held these technician positions in the past. We would never want to put you in a situation that would endanger your health, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all our employees. Would you be able to successfully complete your job duties working with and or around peanuts on a daily basis? *

I understand that housing is provided off-site and I must provide my own transportation to and from job site.*

I am comfortable sharing a room with at least one additional roommate. *

I understand that I will be in shared housing. I am comfortable sharing housing with three additional housemates, which includes use of living quarters, kitchen, bathroom etc. *

Ground-nesting bird assistants (3) are primarily responsible for completing point count surveys, reading color bands, and finding and monitoring nests. Key qualifications for these positions are the ability to identify birds by sight and sound, and find nests and fledglings using behavioral cues. Would you like to be considered for these positions?*

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow assistants (4 total, 2 at Avon Park Air Force Range and 2 at DeLuca Preserve) are primarily responsible for completing point count and transect surveys, re-sighting color-banded birds, and finding, monitoring, and protecting nests. Key qualifications for these positions are the ability to identify birds of the Eastern flyway by sight and sound, find nests using behavioral cues, and experience reading color bands. Would you like to be considered for these positions?*

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker assistant (1) is primarily responsible for monitoring nests, re-sighting color-banded adults and fledglings, and maintaining artificial cavities 10m high. Key qualifications for this position are recording and interpreting bird behavior, and experience reading color bands. Would you like to be considered for this position?*

What is your experience working alone in the field?*

What is your experience working on an active military installation?*

What is your experience operating a 4WD vehicle in loose sand, mud, and/or standing water?*

What is your experience working outdoors in a hot humid climate?*

What is your experience entering data using Access?*

What is your experience conducting point count surveys?*

What is your experience using Esri products like field maps for data collection?*

What is your experience working on an active cattle ranch?*

What is your experience monitoring bird nests?*

What is your experience re-sighting color banded birds?*

What is your experience identifying birds of the Eastern flyway by sight?*

What is your experience indentifying birds of the Eastern flyway by ear?*

What is your experience nest searching for ground nesters using behavior?*

What is your experience identifying pairing, territorial, and nesting behaviors?*

What is your experience protecting and monitoring bird nests, including setting up predator fences?*

What is your experience re-sighting recently fledged birds?*

What is your experience climbing trees with ladders or harness systems?*

What is your experience maintaining artificial nest boxes/cavities?*

U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Information (Completion is voluntary)

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

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Research Assistant (Seasonal) - Avon Park, FL

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