Avian Conservation Field Technicians - Seasonal
Archbold Biological Station (Private) | https://archbold-station.org/
Details
Application Deadline:
11/02/2025
Published:
10/07/2025
Starting Date:
after 3/9/2026
Ending Date:
after 8/28/2026
Hours per Week:
40
Salary:
starting at $15.25 per hour
Education Required:
Bachelors
Experience Required:
none
Location:
Avon Park Airforce Range / DeLuca Preserve (Florida)
Description
SEASONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (7) 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. These positions are seasonal, four-month appointments with likely extension through the end of August based on project needs and performance.
COMPENSATION:
- $15.25 per hour (40 hours/week)
- Free, off-site shared housing (no pets, no smoking)
- Paid sick leave, vacation, and Federal holidays
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Science, a related field (preferred), or equivalent experience through education and fieldwork
- Demonstrated ability to navigate and work alone in the field
- Ability to re-sight color banded birds
- Dedication, sensitivity, and attention to detail when working with threatened and endangered species
- 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
- Good and responsive communication with supervisors, coworkers, and housemates
- US citizenship or a US work visa is required (Archbold is unable to sponsor work visas)
- Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle to access off-site housing. Field vehicles will be provided.
- Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Assistants (2)
Two assistants needed starting March 9, 2026. Primary duties include finding and monitoring Florida Grasshopper Sparrow (FGSP) nests, conducting point count surveys, reading color bands, 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 status
- Ground-nesting bird Assistants (4)
Four assistants needed starting March 9, 2026 (2 at Avon Park Air Force Range and 2 at DeLuca Preserve). Primary duties include conducting habitat surveys, conducting point count surveys, breeding index surveys, reading color bands, surveying for and treating invasive fire ants, and assisting with Florida Grasshopper Sparrow conservation actions (outlined above). Competitive applicants will have experience:
- Identifying species of the Eastern flyway by sight and sound
- Identifying grassland plants of the Southeastern United States
- Conducting point count surveys
- Nest-searching for ground nesting birds using behavior cues
- Identifying breeding bird behavior and fledglings
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker Assistant (1)
One assistant needed starting March 9, 2026. Primary duties include identifying birds by reading color bands, monitoring cavities and nest attempts using peeper cameras, assisting with banding nestlings and adults, performing cavity maintenance activities (which involves climbing Swedish ladders up to 30 ft. high), conducting habitat assessments, and entering and managing data. Competitive applicants will have experience:
- Reading color bands
- Monitoring bird nests
- Watching, recording, and interpreting bird behavior
- Conducting habitat assessments/forest inventories
- Entering, proofing, and summarizing data
ABOUT US:
Archbold Biological Station is a renowned scientific research and conservation non-profit located in south-central Florida. 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.
Technicians’ work will support the Conservation Science of Military Landscapes program’s mission of combining research, monitoring, and applied conservation to inform management of and conserve threatened, endangered, and at-risk species (e.g., Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, Florida Scrub-Jay, and Red-cockaded Woodpecker). Technicians will primarily assist with field research for their assigned project, with opportunities (time-allowing) to assist on other projects within the program and with collaborators from other programs and agencies (ie Florida Bonneted Bat emergence surveys with USFWS).
For more information about our program see our lab website: https://archbold-station.org/programs/conservation-of-military-landscapes/
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants can apply via Archbold’s careers portal. Applicants will be asked to upload a one-page cover letter, resume or CV, and contact information for at least 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. The deadline to apply is November 2. Questions can be directed to Mary Marine (mmarine@archbold-station.org).
Contact
Mary Marine
mmarine@archbold-station.org (preferred contact method)