Coastal Ecology Research Technician

Posting Details

Position Details

Posting Number G/R27438P

Working Title Coastal Ecology Research Technician

Department PSO-Marine Extension Service

About the University of Georgia

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provides integrated research, education and extension programs that foster the responsible use of Georgia's coastal resources by individuals, decision-makers and management agencies. Our program is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia (UGA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.

College/Unit/Department website https://gacoast.uga.edu/

Employment Type Employee

Additional Schedule Information

Holidays and vacation requests will be accommodated but as unpaid leave.

Advertised Salary $15/hr

Anticipated Start Date 11/01/2024

Posting Date 09/18/2024

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Location of Vacancy Outside Athens

EOO Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.



Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Industry site surveys for gopher tortoises and other priority species

Percentage of time 85 Duties/Responsibilities

Office work, including the data entry, management, map creation, photo processing and literature research for both scientific/reporting and non-scientific purposes.

Percentage of time 10 Duties/Responsibilities

Public programming and development of communication materials for public consumption (e.g., social media content); Animal care and husbandry of captive reptile collection

Percentage of time 5

Position Details

Position Information

Classification Title Temporary Technical Paraprofessional

FLSA Non-Exempt

UGA Job Code

FTE 1.0

Minimum Qualifications

Position Summary

This position will be almost entirely field-based to assist with pre-impact surveys at industry sites in Georgia (e.g., utility-scale solar, heavy mineral surface mining), excavations and translocations of gopher tortoises, and post-release monitoring. Additional research on gopher tortoises may be involved, and activities may include, but are not limited to, radio telemetry, checking game cameras, trapping, nest searching and egg excavation and incubation, captive head-start rearing, vegetation surveys. Additionally, this position involves office work to transfer and manage datasets associated with the projects. Specifically, they will participate in the analysis and development of reports and publications with the support of lab staff and supervisor. This may involve data entry or proofing, analysis of photo or video game camera images, visualization and output in ArcGIS Pro, lab analysis of field samples or vegetation data, or input and management of literature and research references into the lab's electronic, shared library. Assistance with other grant-funded projects will be engaged as needed, such surveys for snakes or other priority wildlife species on state or private lands, monitoring flooding and habitat changes from flooding and extreme weather events, or with some of the lab's community engagement efforts to increasing local awareness of seafood consumption advisories. There may also be opportunities to participate in YoPro, an afterschool youth workforce development program we operate with Coastal Outreach Soccer. Finally, the technician will participate in husbandry of captive education and research animals at the Marine Extension facility in Brunswick. They also will assist with public or classroom education events (field, classroom, tabling) and contribute to public communications via content development for social media and project promotion and staff trainings for stakeholders on wildlife identification or other types of workforce development. As part of position onboarding, the technician will undergo specific task training with current project researchers for compliance with UGA and partner protocols, that includes but is not limited to, animal care training, cybersecurity, vehicle safety, and working with minors. A 3-day MSHA safety will be involved as a new employee working on mine sites. Since this position is temporary and cannot exceed the federal restriction of a maximum 1300 hours in one year, health and retirement benefits are not provided by the University of Georgia. The technician will provide their own housing, cell phone, and transportation for work commute and occasional fieldwork (the latter of which is reimbursable). Living location is based on the candidate's preference for commutes to the office and field sites, but either Glynn County (by the lab in Brunswick) or Wilcox (by our primary site for winter surveys) is preferred. This seasonal technician position is anticipated to last 6 months (Nov 24 - Apr 25), but may be extended based on job performance and funding availability.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification in Position

Undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management or related field OR 3 years relevant experience in field research and wildlife. Experience driving 4WD trucks on muddy, sandy and challenging unpaved roads is strongly preferred. Field experience with surveying for Gopherus spp., including experience with burrow cameras and scoping burrows is highly preferred. Field experience in the collection and management of field data, sometimes in large amounts such as wildlife camera data, will add to candidate competitiveness.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

A dedicated interest in the conservation and management of wildlife and ecologically viable habitats that interface with human activities. Field experience with ecological survey and monitoring methods, including wildlife visual encounter surveys and trapping is preferred. Knowledge of southeastern habitats and upland sandhills plant and animal communities is strongly preferred. Working knowledge of GIS, statistical analysis and data management software is highly preferred. Interest in public outreach and community engagement, including working with underserved communities and on environmental justice issues

Physical Demands

Good physical condition and a patient temperament, whether by yourself or with co-workers in the field. Some long days in the field in hot, buggy conditions, and surveys in thick, thorny vegetation. Physical exertion may involve walking up to 10 mi/day for surveys, sometimes carrying up to 15 lbs of bulky equipment. Field work will likely involve extensive walking, continuous bending over, or squatting. Driving multiple hours round-trip to field sites. Wild and captive animals can be challenging to capture and handle and safety precautions and protocols must be adhered to for the well-being of the animals and employee.

Is this a Position of Trust? Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Is driving a requirement of this position? Yes

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? Yes

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.



Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name Kimberly Andrews

Recruitment Contact Email kma77@uga.edu

Recruitment Contact Phone



Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). Applicant Documents Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

1. List of References with Contact Information