Natural Resource Technician - Hurlburt Field, FL

One Natural Resource Technician (Seasonal Worker, Full-time, 40 hours/week) position is available with the Colorado State University (CSU) Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML). This position will provide support to the natural resources program at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The position duration is 110 working days.

The Natural Resource Technician will support the Hurlburt Field natural resources program through a wide variety of wildlife and habitat management projects. These will include, but not limited to

1) monitoring and trapping of the federally protected reticulated flatwoods salamander

2) trapping and removal of the invasive apple snail, and surveying specific locations to detect occurrence and estimate density

3)  supporting the living shoreline development project by setting minnow traps and gathering baseline information to include in reports

4) gather information on ghost crabs that have been recently detected in areas outside of their typical habitat 

5) coordinate community outreach events to support natural resources programs

The many wildlife and habitat monitoring and management, including data collection, data analysis, and reporting tasks associated with this position will provide excellent experience for those entering the field of natural resources. 

Wildlife surveys may occur at irregular times and require long days in the field. Surveys may start as early as 3 am or as late as 8 pm, with potential for 12+-hour long days. Surveys are conducted in wetland areas, and there is a high likelihood to encounter snakes, alligators, and bears. As such, the successful candidate must be flexible, can thrive on an irregular schedule with early and/or late shifts, and the ability to work in harsh and uncomfortable conditions. The successful candidate will have times of working independently in remote outdoor locations in wetlands under varying weather conditions, working long hours, and working irregular hours at times when it relates to a project.

Required Job Qualifications:

• B.S. in a natural resources-, biology-, environmental compliance-, or ecosystem science-related field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Completed coursework in ArcGIS
• Experience using a GPS to navigate in remote areas and collect field data.
• Must have a valid driver’s license for operating federal vehicles, including cars.
• Must be able to pass a federal background investigation to obtain a Department of Defense Installation Access Pass.
• The successful candidate must demonstrate U.S. employment eligibility; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Experience collecting field data and entering data in paper or digital forms.
• Experience using GPS equipment to collect field data.
• Experience flora and/or fauna monitoring or management (specify taxa/ecosystem/regions of prior experience).
• Experience performing habitat restoration or invasive species management.
• Experience with manual labor using powered tools and heavy equipment such as chainsaws, weed-eaters, mowers, tractors, ATVs/UTVs etc.
• Training and experience using GIS software.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Strong Biology, Natural Resource, or Botany experience.
• Experience trapping and handling wildlife, experience trapping and handling reticulated flatwoods salamander or apple snails is a plus.
• Experience with Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program
• Experience with acoustic monitoring for bats
• Experience setting minnow traps and estimating species richness and density.
• Experience performing statistical analysis and summarizing results in reports.
• Experience analyzing spatial data using ArcGIS.
• Previous experience working in Gulf Coast Flatwoods habitat and alongside the biological hazards that inhabit these habitats such as alligators, snakes, or bears.

This position is through CEMML’s Early-career Development Program (ECDP). The intent of this program is to provide the successful applicant with exposure to careers in military lands management and natural resources work experience, under mentorship of natural resource managers and wildlife biologists at Hurlburt Field.

The ECDP does not provide housing or relocation stipend.

Please note: The tasks and duties listed are potential and may change due to season, general weather, or changes to the management plan. Other things that may impact the tasks include personnel changes and site availability. Successful candidates will be flexible in assisting with tasks as assigned by the NRM; and they must understand that no two days may be alike and at times the daily tasks can change unpredictably.