Wild Turkey Poult Behavior, ARU, and Trapping Technicians University of Florida
Position and Salary: 2 Full-time Wildlife Technician Positions from December 2024 – June 2025; 1 Full-time Wildlife Technician Position from March – June 2025
The Disturbance Ecology & Ecological Restoration Lab at the University of Florida is recruiting three research technicians for a wild turkey ecology research project in northern Florida. All three technicians will be involved in a behavioral study with human-imprinted poults at the National Wildlife Research Center Florida Field Station in Gainesville, FL from March through late June 2024. Two technicians will begin in December and assist with one of the following aspects of the project from December through February: 1) wild turkey trapping efforts in Kissimmee, FL or 2) deploying autonomous recording units (ARU)s at various locations across the state of Florida. Shared housing (no pets) and field vehicles will be provided when the technicians are working at field sites outside of Gainesville. Housing will not be provided in Gainesville.
Field conditions include inclement weather, hot and humid temperatures, biting insects, and occasional wet conditions. Salary is $15/hr. These positions are primarily field work based (~85%) with some office/data work (~15%). Applicants must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends during certain periods depending on weather and data collection needs. As technicians may work and live together in close quarters, getting along with others is essential.
Qualifications: Applicants preferably should have a background in wildlife biology and field research and be working toward or have completed a B.S. in Wildlife Biology, Forestry, or a related field. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in (1) animal behavioral monitoring, (2) animal husbandry (particularly with galliform birds or incubating eggs), (3) organized, detailed, and accurate data collection, (4) animal trapping and handling, and/or (5) deploying and servicing autonomous recording units (ARUs). Successful applicants should be comfortable working both independently and as a team. Applicants must also be able to tolerate harsh environmental conditions, early mornings, and long hours when necessary. A valid U.S. driver’s license is required.
To Apply: Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so applicants are encouraged to apply early. Applications should be sent in prior to October 25th, 2024. Applications received later than this date may still be considered only if the positions have yet to be filled.
If interested in applying, please send:
(1) a cover letter summarizing your interest and qualifications for the position. If you have preference for a certain position (eg. trapping, ARU, or poult-only) please specify this in your cover letter. The letter can be addressed to the UF Turkey Research Group
(2) CV/resume
(3) contact information for 3 references
Please include all materials in a single PDF document with the subject line titled Poult Behavior Technician Application to Kelly Neil (luckyirishk@ufl.edu). The D.E.E.R Lab is committed to increasing diversity in science and we encourage applicants from underrepresented groups in STEM to apply.