Coastal Ecology Research Staff - PT

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education ( https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provides integrated research, education and extension programs that foster the responsible use of Georgia's coastal resources by individuals, decision-makers and management agencies.

Our program is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia ( UGA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's ( NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.

Mission and Focus Areas

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's mission is to improve the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education and extension.

Every four years, our program develops a long-range strategic plan that describes our goals and priorities for the coming years. To create this plan, we utilize an inclusive, multi-step process that incorporates fresh input from a diverse constituency.

Read Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant's 2024-2027 Strategic Plan here.

The strategic plan outlines goals, strategies, outcomes and corresponding performance measures organized under the program's four focus areas:

The schedule for this position will average 3-4 days each week but will vary based on lab needs and employee's availability.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management or related field OR 3 years relevant experience in field research and wildlife.

Experience driving 4WD trucks on muddy, sandy and challenging unpaved roads is strongly preferred.

Field experience with surveying for Gopherus spp., including experience with burrow cameras and scoping burrows is highly preferred.

Field experience in the collection and management of field data, sometimes in large amounts such as wildlife camera data, will add to candidate competitiveness.

This position will have a variety of animal care, office/data management, research, and education tasks. As a part-time position with flexible hours, they will communicate with their supervisor about what tasks are needed and set priorities of needed tasks. The most frequent responsibilities will be in husbandry of captive education and research animals at the Marine Extension facility in Brunswick. They additionally will assist with office management responsibilities, such as creation and maintenance of shared file repositories or research databases. Additionally, this position involves office work to transfer and manage datasets associated with the projects. Specifically, they will participate in the analysis and development of reports and publications with the support of lab staff and supervisor. This may involve data entry or proofing, analysis of photo or video game camera images, visualization and analysis in multiple software platforms (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, R Studio, SPSS, Agisoft), lab analysis of field samples or vegetation data, and input and management of literature and research references into the lab's electronic, shared library. They will be responsible for assisting with protocol development and generating the information needed for permits and reports. This position also will assist lab staff with field work on various research projects. Primarily, they may assist with pre-impact surveys at industry sites in Georgia (e.g., heavy mineral surface mining, solar), excavations and translocations of gopher tortoises, and post-release monitoring. Research activities may include, but are not limited to, radio telemetry, checking game cameras, trapping, nest searching and egg excavation and incubation, captive headstart rearing, vegetation surveys. Assistance with other grant-funded projects will be enlisted as needed. They also may assist with public or classroom education events (field, classroom, tabling) and contribute to public communications via content development for social media and project promotion and staff trainings for stakeholders on wildlife identification or other types of workforce development. As part of position onboarding, the technician will undergo specific task training with current project researchers for compliance with UGA and partnering protocols, that includes but is not limited to, animal care training, cybersecurity, vehicle safety, and working with minors. Certification in MSHA safety will be involved as a new employee working on mine sites and will require annual refreshers. The technician will provide their own housing, cell phone, and transportation for work commute and occasional fieldwork (the latter of which is reimbursable). Living location is based on the candidate's preference for commutes to the office and field sites, but Glynn County is preferred. The schedule for this position will average 3-4 days each week but will vary based on lab needs and employee's availability. The position is not benefits-eligible since it is part-time, but can be a permanent position in this part-time capacity. Continuation of this position is based on the annual job performance reviews of the employee and the availability of extramural funds to support the salary.

* A dedicated interest in wildlife conservation and the management of habitats and endangered species.
* Field experience with surveying for and scoping gopher tortoise burrows.
* Knowledge of southeastern herpetofauna and other commensals of tortoise burrows. * Field experience in the deployment and management of wildlife cameras and photo data. * High-level of attention to detail, for data entry, proofing, management, and analysis.
* Working knowledge of GIS and data management software.
* Ability to work well with others, operate independently, good communication skills, and have an overall positive attitude.
* Flexibility with scheduling and physical and mental resiliency are key to achieving our work plan goals in an efficient manner.
* Capacity to work independently and be a good team player.
* A high-level of organization and professionalism, quality performance, and direct and efficient communication.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Entry, proofing, database management, analysis, and interpretation of field data for both scientific and education purposes.

File and information organization, such as archiving/transfer of information to electronic formats, creating and managing the lab's reference library, updating protocols, and summarizing data and information needed for permits and reports before filing.

Assistance with various field research, wildlife surveys, capture, processing, and release of wild animals, but will mostly be involved with transect surveys for pre-impact site and priority species assessments for mining and solar clients, assisting with mitigation actions (e.g., re/translocation of animals, post-release pen monitoring and repairs), and related field research.

Development of communication materials for public consumption (e.g., social media content) and programming (e.g., youth, public outreach), and staff/workforce training (e.g., wildlife response, industry field personnel); assist with maintenance of social media platforms, lab emails, and website.