Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) is an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Jensen Beach, Florida providing a broad range of biological and ecological services.

During 2024, EAI will be documenting sea turtle nesting and reproductive success on North Hutchinson Island in Indian River County, Florida. This will involve daily early morning surveys using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to record all sea turtle nesting activity, marking and monitoring of nests sites, and excavating marked nests. Other related activities may include responding to sea turtle strandings, conducting beach escarpment surveys or shorebird surveys, supporting community outreach events and programs, and assisting with data management.

EAI is seeking 4 to 6 individuals to assist in the surveys described above. These positions are remote and Environmental Monitors will not be reporting to/working out of EAI’s headquarters. As a result, we are looking for individuals who thrive working independently but are effective communicators, as well as, have previous field experience following standard operating procedures collecting data under adverse conditions.

These are seasonal positions that will start as early as March and run through September, possibly October. Work hours will vary over the course of the position and may range from about 20 hours per week at the beginning of the season to as much as 40 hours per week during peak season. The variability in hours and length of these positions is mainly dependent on nesting activity.

Job Summary:

Environmental Monitors perform field work and provide support for a variety of projects, with an expected ratio of 90% field and 10% office work during a typical week.

Daytime Work Duties/Responsibilities:

· Conduct early morning beach surveys on an ATV.

· Identify and record the numbers of turtle crawls by species.

· Obtain GPS using Survey123 app readings of all crawls.

· Locate eggs and mark sea turtle nests.

· Monitor sea turtle nests to determine nest fates and dates of hatchling emergence.

· Evaluate hatchling tracks to ensure they reached the ocean and record and submit hatchling disorientation forms digitally.

· Excavate nests and interpret contents.

· Respond to and collect data from stranded sea turtles.

· Enter data in Microsoft Excel.

· Clean and maintain ATVs.

Required Skills/Abilities:

· Able to work independently and as part of a team.

· Excellent organizational and record keeping skills with attention to detail.

· Able to follow complex instructions and standard operating procedures.

· Excellent communication, data management, and creative problem-solving skills.

· Must possess a clean driving record.

· Work remotely.

· Experience operating and driving an ATV is preferred.

· Broad practical experience using GPS instrumentation is preferred.

· Microsoft Office experience is preferred.

· Comfortable speaking professionally to members of the public.

Education and Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree preferred.

· One year of related experience required.

Physical Requirements:

· Able to work outdoors in extreme conditions (long hours, inclement weather, heat, humidity, cold, biting insects).

· Perform work on unpaved, uneven surfaces (tripping hazards).

· Perform work in, on, and around water (rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.).

· Must be able to stand, bend, sit, lift, and drive.

· Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Pay Classification:

$16.00 - $19.00/hour, Part-time, Hourly, Non-exempt, Not Benefit Eligible

40 hours of Paid Time Off.

Housing is not provided.

Reports to:

Senior Scientist and Biologist

Equal Opportunity Employer Drug Free Workplace

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Application for Employment:

Forward one PDF document containing letter of interest, resume, and the names, email addresses, and daytime telephone numbers of three references to Liz Ranalli. Incomplete applications or applications received without accompanying resume and cover letter will not be considered. Note: These positions are subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.