Coastal Ecology Research Staff

The University of Georgia is seeking Coastal Ecology Research Staff for their Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant program in Brunswick, GA. The role involves diverse responsibilities in the Coastal Ecology Lab, focusing on ecological surveys, wildlife research (especially on reptiles), and habitat assessments. The position requires fieldwork coordination, project management, and may include community engagement and youth programs. This role is based at the UGA facility and is not remote.
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.

This position is for a staff researcher in the Coastal Ecology Lab with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant office and will be located fully at the off-campus UGA facility in Brunswick, Georgia. The responsibilities will be diverse and dynamic across multiple projects in the lab as the lab is funded extramurally. This staff position will play a large role in project execution and management and may be involved with the design and implementation of novel research projects in the field. Projects will focus on ecological surveys and research primarily on wildlife, and reptiles, in particular, along with general assessments of habitat health and change in coastal Georgia. Specifically, the lab conducts pre-development assessments on gopher tortoises and indigo snakes (but extends to priority animal and plant species) surveys to assess impacts and develop plans for the avoidance or relocation of impacted species on industry (e.g., utility-scale solar, heavy mineral surface mining, transportation) lands. We also conduct research on the post-translocation success of gopher tortoises to engage in longer-term planning for wildlife and habitat management. Our research program uses GPS and VHF telemetry and game camera monitoring to explore the integration of translocated and resident gopher tortoise populations. Hence, the researcher will coordinate field work at multiple field locations that includes, but is not limited to, radio tracking, checking game cameras, and the seasonal trapping of tortoises to swap equipment and download data.

Additional grant responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
• Assessing flooding and impacts to habitats and infrastructure from extreme weather and tidal events using time-lapse photography and drones
• Testing and designing infrastructure designs to mitigate impacts to wildlife, such as for diamondback terrapins, gopher tortoises, and snakes
• Community engagement and awareness on county-wide seafood consumption advisories
• Youth workforce development programs as part of the Coastal Outreach Soccer afterschool STEM program

Other grant opportunities will certainly arise during the course of employment so some new projects will come online and others will wrap up. Staff will have opportunities for input on both new and on-going projects and can participate in the proposal process as interested and as time around other responsibilities allow. The staff will undergo and maintain specific task training for compliance with UGA protocols, including safe venomous snake handling, state vehicle and computer use, and working with minors in education programs. Training and compliances for access to some of our field sites, such as MSHA certification and refreshers, will be provided as part of the initial training and onboarding as it is required as a condition of employment. In addition to field work, this position involves regular office work to transfer and manage datasets associated with the projects, data analysis to confirm functionality of field equipment, and to generate results for contract reports for the sponsor and permits for natural resource agencies. They also will assist with compiling and relaying information needed for weekly and annual reports. Also, this position will conduct data analysis to generate peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations for conferences. Data management, analysis and the production of maps using ArcGIS are expected to occur consistently and with self-initiative, though communication with and support from the supervisor will also be provided consistently as result production, interpretation, and dissemination will be a collaborative process. As research is fueled by innovation through new ideas, technology, and ways to analyze data, this position is an opportunity for someone who loves to learn, grow, and take the reins in their professional growth and currency. As our lab has a strong mission for community engagement and public education, the technician also will assist with public communications via content development for social media and project promotion; public or classroom education events (field, classroom, tabling); and staff trainings for new miners on wildlife identification or other types of workforce development. Also, the individual will participate in husbandry of captive education and research animals at the Marine Extension facility in Brunswick. This position may assist periodically in the scheduling and communications associated with programs and trainings.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through a BS degree or a minimum of two years professional experience.