Individual Placement - Naval Station Mayport Sea Turtle Monitoring Management

Student Conservation Association•Jacksonville, FL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, is seeking an SCA Member to support the Natural Resource Manager in overseeing a sea turtle monitoring program and various other natural resource management and conservation initiatives. The role involves managing a large volunteer group, conducting early morning surveys and monitoring of sea turtle nests, and meticulously recording sea turtle nest data. Key responsibilities include training volunteers, leading volunteer beach walks, creating monthly work schedules for over 100 volunteers, and maintaining regular communication with lead volunteers. The Member will also respond to reports of injured or deceased wildlife, which may require transporting animals to a hospital via a government truck. Additionally, the position offers opportunities to learn bird surveying techniques and data entry into the Avian Knowledge Network. Other duties include assisting with invasive plant removal, developing outreach materials, and organizing volunteer-based work events.

Requirements

Valid driver license and a personal vehicle in good working condition.
Must successfully pass a Department of Navy security clearance investigation.
Bachelor of Science in biology or related field.
Excellent communication, organization and planning skills.
Must be flexible and able to adapt to schedule changes and unexpected incidents.
Excellent data management skills.
Must be punctual and comfortable starting work before sunrise.
Must be able to walk 2 miles on a beach, and occasionally lift heavy objects and use hand tools.
Member should have, or be working toward, a degree in biological sciences (e.g., wildlife biology, marine biology) or related field.
Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency/organization is a requirement for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience identifying sea turtle tracks, monitoring sea turtle nests, and conducting inventories at nests of the sea turtle species that occur in Florida, especially loggerhead sea turtle.
Public speaking experience.
Experience coordinating the work schedules of over 100 volunteers.
Experience working with volunteers and coworkers representing a wide range of ages, abilities, and knowledge.
Strong ability to think and plan proactively in order to avoid errors and mishaps.
Comfortable working in a military atmosphere.
Tolerate typical Florida conditions including, but not limited to, hot and humid weather, rain, strong wind, biting and stinging insects, and cacti.

Responsibilities

Manage Naval Station Mayport’s sea turtle monitoring program.
Train volunteers through oral presentations.
Recruit new volunteers.
Create and distribute monthly monitoring schedules.
Maintain daily communication (text) with Lead Volunteers.
Conduct daily sea turtle nesting surveys, mark nests, conduct inventories at nests, and record data in FFWCC’s Survey123 Apps.
Maintain data spreadsheets and complete end-of-season reports.
Respond to reports of injured and dead turtles, potentially after hours or during weekends.
Deliver weak and injured turtles to an animal hospital.
Educate beach visitors about Base policies and appropriate beach conduct.
Find and remove invasive plants.
Survey for and monitor gopher tortoise burrows.
Be available during the workday, after hours, or select weekends to respond to reports of dead and injured wildlife and transport injured wildlife to animal hospitals.
Be available after hours and weekends to communicate (usually by text) with volunteers.
Conduct surveys for nesting shorebirds and enter data in an FFWCC database.
May conduct surveys for landbirds (point-counts) and secretive marsh birds.
Enter historic and new bird survey data in the Avian Knowledge Network.
Design and install outreach and information materials such as signs and flyers to improve conservation outcomes.
Assist other Public Works Department Environmental staff and the Installation Environmental Programs Director.