Associate, Research

Position Summary:

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and the Blair Audubon Center is one of the National Audubon Society's premiere centers. Operating as part of the Audubon Florida state program, the Sanctuary unites visitor and education experiences with science-based conservation to understand, protect and restore habitats on its 13,000 acres and its regional and connected watershed and public lands corridors.

The Associate, Research will report to the Research Manager and will help carry out research and ecological monitoring to support conservation of the Sanctuary and surrounding Western Everglades. This will involve fieldwork (hydrology and wildlife surveys) and office/laboratory responsibilities (data entry, processing samples and camera trap images, assisting with mapping, summarizing and reporting data). The Associate, Research will help coordinate seasonal staff and volunteers to assist with field and office work. As a member of the Sanctuary’s conservation team, the Associate, Research will also serve as a crew member for prescribed burns (ignition and suppression).  This full-time 40-hours per week position is based out of Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Naples, FL).

Compensation:

$24.00 - $25.00 / hour

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions

• Serve as crew lead for monitoring hydrology (water level, rainfall), plant communities (transects), wading birds (aerial surveys), freshwater aquatic fauna (traps), herpetofauna (driving, visual/aural surveys), mammals (camera traps), including prioritizing detailed and accurate record keeping.

• Responsible for processing aquatic fauna samples (identifying, measuring individuals), processing camera trap images, ensuring timely and accurate data entry, and data management in the lab.

• Safely operate multiple off-road vehicles (4WD trucks, ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, and airboats) and maintain field equipment.

• Support invasive animal monitoring, reporting, and removal, as needed (may include snails, insects, fish, lizards, snakes, etc.)

• Assist the Manager, Land Stewardship as a member of the Sanctuary prescribed fire team, including assisting with fires (ignition and suppression) and mop up, as needed.

• Responsible for helping develop SOPs and maintaining, fostering, and leading a culture of safety for Audubon and the research team at Corkscrew, including participation on the Sanctuary Safety Committee.

• Communicate clearly and collaborate frequently with the land stewardship team, supporting mapping, and other fieldwork or projects as needed.

• Coordinate and foster relationships with contractors and partner organizations, including federal, state, and county agency staff, NGOs, and private firms.

• Maintain consistently clear and professional communication with staff, Sanctuary visitors, donors, visiting colleagues, and others.

• Provide written and verbal progress reports.

• Help coordinate and support visiting scientists and community science efforts, as needed.

• Assist with maintaining trails using hand tools and chainsaws, as needed.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field required and 0-2 years relevant experience.

• Experience in Florida’s wetland flora and fauna is strongly desired. A willingness to quickly learn to identify wetland plants (to species), small fish and macroinvertebrates, wetland birds (sight), herpetofauna (sight and anuran calls), and mammals must be demonstrated.

• Strong sense of direction, excellent navigational and geolocation skills, and experience with Microsoft Office and ArcGIS are required. Experience with Survey123 and use of artificial intelligence for camera trap image processing is a plus.

• The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to pivot and adapt to changing circumstances and work conditions, and an ability to improvise and problem solve in the field.

• Must have (or be able to obtain within stated timeframe after hire) certifications:

  • First Aid and CPR Training (obtain within 3 months)

  • National Wildfire Coordinating Group S130 (Firefighter Training) and S190 (Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior (obtain within 6 months)

  • FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (obtain within 1 year)

• Must demonstrate scheduling flexibility and a willingness to work non-traditional hours when needed (early mornings, evenings), including long hour outdoors in remote sub-tropical South Florida wetland environments, and carrying field gear (up to 40 lbs.) for extended periods, with or without accommodation.

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