Benefits:

Paid Vacation & Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

403B Retirement Plan

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Parental leave

Training & development

Vision insurance

Wellness resources

About the Role:

We are seeking a Research Assistant III to join our team at Archbold Biological Station - Avon Park Florida. This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, conducting important research in the long-term demographic research and management of the federally threatened Florida Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus, FGSP) at Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) in Avon Park, Florida.

The Conservation Science of Military Landscapes Program at Archbold Biological Station reports to Dr. Todd Jones. This position is part of a 30+ year study on threatened, endangered, and at-risk species (TES) at APAFR, funded through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and U. S. Air Force (USAF).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Under minimal supervision, perform research tasks (field work, data management and analysis, lab work, and report writing) relevant to management and conservation of FGSPs and other TES at APAFR.

Field work including but not limited to mapping territories, trapping and banding birds (including nestlings, juveniles, and adults), resighting color-banded birds, conducting censuses, conducting habitat assessments, finding, monitoring, and protecting nests, and coordinating and releasing captive bred sparrows. May also assist colleagues with field work on FGSPs at a nearby private cattle ranch and with other TES including the Florida Scrub-Jay and Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Coordinate with program staff to ensure all fieldwork is complete.

Coordinate with program staff to manage inventory, care, and use of technical equipment.

Be responsible for data entry and database management for FGSPs.

Assist program director with writing annual reports to USFWS and USAF, and potential collaborations on peer-reviewed manuscripts drawing from long-term databases.

May present papers at scientific meetings (e.g., Archbold and statewide meetings) in collaboration with supervisor and/or collaborators.

Collaborate with USFWS liaison, USAF biologists, and land managers for APAFR activities

Participate in and work with collaborators in the FGSP working group

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) requiring lab and field work. Base pay starting at $17.50 per hour - pay commensurate with experience. Archbold also offers a variety of health benefits and paid time off such as sick leave, paid vacations and holidays.

Travel/Housing

Station vehicles are provided for all research activities.

Position may require occasional travel to conferences, scientific meetings, workshops, or other professional gatherings.

Housing not provided; temporary housing at relocation may be available.

Work Environment

With oversight from supervisor and Archbold human resources, conduct recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation for staff and students/interns/volunteers engaged on projects within the program.

Will regularly navigate and work alone in the field with a map (paper and on Field Maps on smart phone) and operate a radio to communicate with Air Force Range Control.

Tolerance for early mornings, extreme heat/humidity, rain, and biting insects

Work on some weekends when necessary

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of scientific experience

Valid driver’s license required

1-2 years experience watching, recording, and interpreting bird behavior, banding birds, managing projects, nest searching and monitoring, conducting wildlife surveys and vegetation sampling, mentoring technicians/interns preferred

Experience communicating to the public a plus

We seek a candidate expected for a minimum tenure to the end of the current cooperative agreement funding the position: June 2027 - 2 years

This information is not designed to be a complete inventory of the job duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Rather, it’s designed to give the general nature and level of work to be performed by an employee assigned to this job title. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Questions about this role may be directed to Dr. Todd Jones (tjones@archbold-station.org)

To Apply: For full consideration please apply online at Archbold Careers page by January 5, 2025. You will be asked a few questions before you are prompted to upload the following in a single pdf titled with your name: Cover letter outlining experience relevant to the job responsibilities listed and describing how this position aligns with your personal goals, a CV/resume, and the names and contact information for three references.