Red-cockaded Woodpecker Technician

One technician is needed February 21st – June 26th, 2025, to assist with red-cockaded woodpecker population monitoring in Osceola County (central Florida) at Three Lakes, Triple N Ranch, and Herky Huffman/Bull Creek Wildlife Management Areas. Osceola County boasts some of Florida’s most stunning and scarce ecosystems, which house numerous rare and endangered species. Job duties will include surveying cavity trees, identifying birds by reading color bands, nest searching, nest monitoring, assisting in nestling banding, and data entry. Start date is somewhat flexible (earliest start February 21st, latest start March 7th).

Applicants must be willing to work a flexible schedule (including early mornings and occasional evenings and weekends) and hike in very hot and humid conditions, and be able to navigate rough roads with ATVs, UTVs, and 4WD trucks. Preference will be given to applicants with prior avian/wildlife field experience, including reading color bands (especially with a spotting scope), monitoring nests, recording and entering field data, navigating in the woods with a map and/or GPS, operating ATVs/UTVs, trailering, and living and working in a relatively remote area. Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.

Pay rate is $16.83/hour. Shared field housing will be provided at Three Lakes WMA. The technician will be responsible for covering their share of the utilities (typically $20-$30/month). An agency vehicle will be provided for work-related travel, but a personal vehicle is recommended due to the remoteness of the housing site.

To apply, please email a cover letter explaining your interest and relevant experience, a resume/CV, and the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of three references as a single Word or PDF document to Araks Ohanyan (Araks.Ohanyan@myFWC.com). Please put “RCW Technician” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.