Research Assistant III--Avon Park Florida Scrub Jays

Summary/Objective

• The Conservation Science of Military Landscapes Program (CSML; https://www.archbold-station.org/programs/conservation-of-military-landscapes/) at Archbold Biological Station is seeking a research assistant, reporting to Dr. Todd Jones. The successful candidate will primarily aid in long-term demographic research and management of the federally threatened Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens, FLSJ) at Avon Park Air Force Range (APAFR) in Avon Park, Florida.
• 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 FLSJs 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 quarterly censuses, conducting habitat assessments, and time-permitting, finding and monitoring nests. May also assist colleagues with field work on other TES including the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow 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 FLSJs.
• 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; opportunities for participation in FLSJ conservation and recovery meetings.

Supervisory Responsibility

• 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

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) requiring lab and field work.
• Base pay starting at $17.25 per hour – pay is commensurate with experience.
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, paid time-off, sick leave and paid 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 available.

Work Environment

• 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

Physical Demands

• The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; lift, push and pull items up to 50 pounds; climb stairs; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Will travel uneven surfaces for long periods of time by foot or truck. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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, conducting wildlife surveys and vegetation sampling, mentoring technicians/interns preferred
• Experience communicating to the public a plus

Competencies and Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• An understanding of and commitment to the Archbold mission
• Seeking a candidate expected for a minimum tenure to the end of the current cooperative agreement funding the position (June 2027; ~2.5 years)
• 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.

Acknowledgment

• 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

Please apply online (https://archbold-station.apscareerportal.com/jobs?locale=en-US) by October 11, 2024.

Please fill out a few questions and upload a cover letter outlining experience relevant to the job responsibilities listed and describing how this position aligns with your personal goals and the names and contact information for three references, and upload a CV/resume.

Expected start date November 2024