Description
The Wildlife Ecology and Land Management Lab at the University of Florida is seeking a Field Research Technician to assist with multiple research projects focused on wildlife habitat management and longleaf pine ecosystem restoration in the Florida Panhandle.
The technician will primarily assist with deploying and maintaining camera trap arrays used to monitor wildlife communities across restoration and management sites. Responsibilities will also include organizing and identifying wildlife in camera trap images to support ongoing research and data management. In addition, the technician will conduct vegetation surveys to quantify habitat characteristics associated with wildlife use and restoration outcomes. These projects aim to improve understanding of how wildlife communities respond to habitat management and longleaf pine restoration, providing valuable data to inform conservation and land management decisions.
The technician will work closely with graduate students and research staff while gaining experience in wildlife monitoring, vegetation sampling, ecological field research, and applied conservation outreach. The technician may also assist with other field, laboratory, or data-related tasks as needed to support ongoing projects within the lab.
Job Duties
Primary responsibilities will include:
- Deploying, maintaining, and retrieving camera traps across multiple field sites
- Periodically checking cameras to ensure proper operation and replacing batteries and memory cards
- Organizing and reviewing camera trap imagery
- Conducting vegetation surveys at designated field sites, including measuring vegetation structure and recording plant community data
- Recording and managing field data accurately using standardized protocols
- Assisting with general field logistics, equipment maintenance, and data organization
Additional duties may include assisting with other field, laboratory, or data-related tasks as needed to support ongoing research activities in the lab.
Fieldwork will involve frequent travel to sites across the Florida Panhandle and working in hot, humid conditions with uneven terrain, dense vegetation, and biting insects.
Requirements
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources, or a closely related field
- Valid driver’s license
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally with private landowners and members of the public
- Strong organizational skills and accurate data recording
- Ability to follow field safety and research protocols
- Ability to work outdoors in challenging weather conditions and maintain a flexible schedule
- Ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication with supervisors and team members
- Willingness to work flexible hours when required for fieldwork
Desired Qualifications
- Previous experience deploying and maintaining camera traps
- Experience conducting vegetation surveys or other ecological field sampling
- Experience navigating using GPS and driving in 4-wheel drive conditions
- Familiarity with wildlife field research methods and data management
