SEASONAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (8) 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.

Benefits:

• Housing Provided (No Pets/No Smoking)
• Paid Holidays

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Science, related field, or equivalent experience 
• Demonstrated ability to navigate and work alone in the field 
• Ability to re-sight color banded birds 
• 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 
• Dedication, sensitivity, and attention to detail when working with threatened and endangered species 
• Good and responsive communication with supervisors, coworkers, and housemates 
• Willingness to comply with Archbold and Federal Covid-19 prevention guidelines, which includes mandatory vaccination for shared housing and wearing masks in indoor workspaces when case numbers are high. 
• US citizenship or a US work visa is required. 
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle to access off-site housing. Field vehicles will be provided.

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Assistants (4) 
Four assistants needed starting March 3, 2025 for approximately 6 months (2 at Avon Park Air Force Range and 2 at DeLuca Preserve). Primary duties include conducting FGSP point count and transect surveys, reading color bands, finding and monitoring nests, 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 

Ground-nesting Bird Assistants (2 technicians, 1 crew leader) 
Two assistants needed starting March 3, 2025 for approximately 6 months. One crew leader needed starting April 24, 2025 for approximately 6 months. Primary duties include conducting point count surveys, reading color bands, finding and monitoring nests of ground-nesting birds (primarily Eastern Meadowlark, Bachman’s Sparrow, and Common Nighthawk), and assisting with Florida Grasshopper Sparrow work as needed. Competitive applicants will have experience: 

• Identifying species of the Eastern flyway by sight and sound 
• Conducting point count surveys 
• Working with grassland birds, especially sparrows or meadowlarks 
• Nest-searching for ground nesting birds using behavior cues 
• Monitoring bird nests and/or resighting fledglings 
• Ability to maintain focus during early mornings to detect elusive birds and collect behavioral information on reproductive status 
• Crew leader additional responsibilities: Overseeing field work, coordinating travel between field sites, collaborating with project leads, establishing field priorities, managing data collection
• Crew leader compensation: $16.75/hour

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Assistant (1)
One assistant needed starting March 3, 2025 for approximately 6 months. Primary duties include identifying birds by reading color bands, monitoring nest attempts using peeper cameras, performing cavity maintenance activities (which involves climbing Swedish ladders up to 30 ft. high), and entering and managing data. Competitive applicants will have experience: 

• Reading color bands 
• Monitoring bird nests (especially nests of cavity nesting species) 
• Watching, recording, and interpreting bird behavior 
• Entering, proofing, and summarizing data in Access 

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. For more information about our program see our lab website.