Benefits:

Gratis Lodging (No Pets/No Smoking)

Avian Conservation Field Technicians - Seasonal
Seeking (7) Seasonal Research Assistants to begin work immediately in support of a ground-nesting bird monitoring project at Avon Park Air Force Range and DeLuca Preserve in south-central Florida. These positions are seasonal, four-month appointments with the potential for extension based on project needs and performance. The roles are hourly, non-exempt, with a compensation rate of $15.25 per hour, and include shared gratis lodging, paid vacation and sick leave. Applicants should possess a strong interest or academic background in biology, ecology, or environmental science, and must be capable of working outdoors in variable field conditions. Attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team are essential.

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
Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle to access off-site housing. Field vehicles will be provided.
Must be eligible for employment in the U.S. and have the ability to provide valid documentation. Archbold is an E-Verify employer.

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

Conservation Science of Military Lands Program
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. For more information about our program see our lab website: https://archbold-station.org/programs/conservation-of-military-landscapes/

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants should upload a cover letter, resume or CV, and contact information for 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 October 26. Questions can be directed to Mary Marine (mmarine@archbold-station.org).

Compensation: $15.25 per hour

Archbold is an equal opportunity employer. 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 and stands proud of its collaborative culture.

Archbold's mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida, and beyond. Archbold’s footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast, open ranchlands of Central Florida; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts, touching the lives of millions of Floridians. Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders as ecosystems: as complex networks shaped by measurable natural processes. Our dozens of research sites encompass the pristine sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge; the ranchlands and wetlands that make up much of Central Florida; and the rivers that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and beyond.

Today Archbold stewards a rich mosaic of natural habitats, native ecosystems, working lands, and historic buildings at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. The Station and the Ranch serve as the place-based crucible for our innovative science, conservation, and education programs. These draw from a long, deep history, dating back from our beginnings, founded by Richard Archbold in 1941.

Achbold is an E-Verify Employer

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Exposure to peanuts and/or peanut residue at the Avon Park office is unavoidable. However, it's important to note that individuals with 'milder' peanut allergies, who are unable to consume peanuts or peanut products but are okay being around them, have safely and successfully held these technician positions in the past. We would never want to put you in a situation that would endanger your health, and we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all our employees. Would you be able to successfully complete your job duties working with and or around peanuts on a daily basis? *

I understand that housing is provided off-site and I must provide my own transportation to and from job site.*

I am comfortable sharing a room with at least one additional roommate. *

I understand that I will be in shared housing. I am comfortable sharing housing with three additional housemates, which includes use of living quarters, kitchen, bathroom etc. *

Ground-nesting bird assistants (2 at Avon Park Air Force Range and 2 at DeLuca Preserve) are primarily responsible for completing point count surveys, reading color bands, conducting breeding bird surveys, surveying for and treating invasive fire ants, and finding and monitoring nests. Would you like to be considered for these positions?*

Florida Grasshopper Sparrow assistants (2) are primarily responsible for completing point count surveys, re-sighting color-banded birds, and finding, monitoring, and protecting nests. Would you like to be considered for these positions?*

Red-cockaded Woodpecker assistants (1) are primarily responsible for 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. Would you like to be considered for this position?*

U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Information (Completion is voluntary)

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. You are being given the opportunity to provide the following information in order to help us comply with federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action record keeping, reporting, and other legal requirements. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

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Research Assistant (Seasonal) - Avon Park, FL

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