Field Technician, Gulf Coast

Key Responsibilities

• Inventorying and monitoring of rare, threatened, endangered, and culturally significant in-situ plant populations across the Florida panhandle and lower Alabama
• Searching for new populations of rare species
• Assisting with field collection of seed, leaf tissue, cuttings, herbarium vouchers, and other plant materials using methods consistent with department protocols
• Landowner outreach
• Support field-related operations in and out of the field, including preparation for fieldwork, driving ABG or personal vehicles to and from field sites, and ensuring that all equipment, data, and samples are organized at the end of fieldwork
• Maintain and prepare data for reporting
• Track work by updating “project diaries” to document daily and weekly work accomplished to meet objectives for multiple grant-funded projects
• Safely and efficiently drive ABG Gulf Projects field vehicles on rough terrain
• Follow established field and safety protocols
• Utilize mobile phones, Survey123, FieldMaps, and Gaia GPS in the field to collect data
• Create simple maps in ArcGIS for field use
• Apply for research and collection permits as needed

Requirements

• Must be organized, detail-oriented, adaptable, and a good communicator
• Associate or Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Botany, Biotechnology, Horticulture, or related field preferred
• Prior experience with seed collection is highly desired
• Prior experience or skills in field data collection, plant identification, use of GPS and mapping tools, and navigation in challenging terrain is highly desired
• Work occasional independent field days and regular overnight trips during peak field season
• Able to maintain a positive attitude in adverse conditions required
• Must have a valid Driver’s License
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lbs
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Effectively respond to multiple, changing, and often conflicting priorities

Physical Requirements

• Ability to spend long periods standing, walking, crouching, bending, and kneeling in the field in various conditions, including the presence of extreme heat and humidity, thick vegetation, biting insects, and venomous snakes.