Field Biologist - ATBC

Description

The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Conservation & Research Department seeks a dedicated Field Biologist to lead field operations for the “Revegetating Coastal Wet Prairies of the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape” project, funded through the Department of Defense via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s America the Beautiful Challenge.

This role is pivotal to restoring pollinator habitat and plant diversity across wet prairie ecosystems in Deer Lake State Park. The Field Biologist will be responsible for executing and overseeing all aspects of restoration activities—including floral resource development and pollinator monitoring—with a strong focus on scientific rigor, data management, and ecological impact assessment. This is a full-time, temporary position with benefits scheduled to run from August 1, 2025, through July 30, 2028, based in Walton County, FL.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead pollinator surveys targeting at-risk species such as Bombus pensylvanicus and Bombus fraternus, using standardized census techniques (e.g., timed floral observations, netting, photographic records)
• Design and implement monitoring protocols to assess floral resource availability, pollinator visitation, and spatial connectivity across revegetation patches
• Plan and conduct vegetation monitoring, including outplant survivorship, recruitment, and phenology of 20+ native wet prairie species
• Collect and manage detailed ecological data using Survey123, ArcGIS Field Maps, and GPS units (e.g., BadElf or Trimble GNSS)
• Contribute to rare plant monitoring, herpetofauna detection, and basic hydrology assessments across multiple restoration plots
• Assist in seed collection from native plant populations and support seed bank documentation in coordination with the Atlanta-based team
• Compile field data, develop summary maps, and prepare technical reports and visualizations for agency and funding partners, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Northwest Florida Sentinel Landscape
• Work closely with a Field Technician and collaborate with project partners and community volunteers to support large-scale outplanting efforts
• Deliver presentations to partners, volunteers, and visiting groups to communicate project objectives, methodologies, and outcomes
• Ability to conduct detailed fieldwork in extreme environmental and physically demanding conditions
• Limited travel to Atlanta, Georgia or additional sites in the Florida Panhandle may be required

Requirements

• B.S. in Biology, Botany, Ecology, or a closely related field required; an M.S. is preferred but not required. 
• Demonstrated experience with pollinator fieldwork, especially in open or wetland habitats, knowledge of southeastern U.S. pollinator fauna highly desirable
• Familiarity with wetland plant identification and ecosystem restoration in the southeastern U.S.
• Experience using ArcGIS, BadElf, and/or Trimble GNSS equipment is preferred
• Hold a current valid driver’s license; reliable personal transportation to and from site is preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The position involves strenuous field work in extreme weather conditions, and the ability to lift 50 lb. is required

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to organize detailed data and coordinate schedules with other coworkers and partners
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to effectively respond to multiple, changing, and often conflicting priorities is essential
• Must be able to effectively interact with the general public and co-workers and peer professionals

The above job duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory of all duties required of employees in this job.

It is the policy of the Atlanta Botanical Garden to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

ABG Core Values

• Conservation: We value natural resources and ecosystems, making choices with the long-term sustainability of our planet in mind
• Excellence: We hold ourselves to high stan