Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Field Technician

Location: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Okeechobee County, Florida

REGULAR TECHNICIANS: March 10 to August 24, 2023 (end date negotiable)

Job Type: Seasonal

REGULAR TECHNICIANS: $15.00/hour

30-40 hours/week. Shared housing is provided.

Application Deadline: Until filled

Job Description: Four experienced seasonal field technicians and one crew lead technician are needed to conduct monitoring and nest protection of the critically endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow (FGSP) at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks). This position provides an exceptional opportunity to join the collaborative conservation efforts to save one of the most threatened birds in North America https://fl.audubon.org/birds/florida-grasshopper-sparrow 

The position starts March 2023 and runs through August 24, 2023. Primary duties will include early morning avian point count surveys to locate FGSP, resighting color-banded individuals, behavioral observation, nest searching and protection (predator exclusion fencing), nest camera deployment and video monitoring, habitat data collection, habitat restoration (tree and exotic plant removal), data entry, and GIS analysis. If interested and qualified, the possibility exists for becoming crew for prescribed fire at the Preserve. You will have the chance to learn to drive ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, and a truck with a manual transmission.

Salary is $15.00 per hour plus free on-site housing (shared living space, no pets, no smoking). The Preserve is very remote with the closest grocery store being 40 minutes away.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is the largest contiguous grassland east of the Mississippi River (~58,000 acres) and is home to over 40 listed species. The state park is Florida’s first international dark sky place and provides recreational activities including camping, hiking, biking, fishing, astronomy, and wildlife-viewing. For more information about the Preserve, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/kissimmee-prairie-preserve-state-park

Qualifications include experience working in avian field research, preferably with grassland birds. Previous experience with monitoring and nest searching for secretive birds and resighting color-banded birds is preferred. Applicants must have tolerance for work in adverse field conditions (biting insects, alligators, venomous snakes, heat and humidity, and regular thunderstorms) and ability to live comfortably in a rural setting and in close quarters with other field technicians. Applicants must have a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Technicians must have valid U.S. driver’s license, be able to lift 50lbs unassisted, and authorized to work in the U.S.

To apply, email a single PDF File of your cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 references to Karina Nieves at Karina.Nieves@FloridaDEP.gov - make sure to indicate in the subject line which position you are applying for (lead or regular technician).