Coastal Ecology Research Staff
Posting Details
Posting Details
Posting Number S13365P Working Title Coastal Ecology Research Staff Department PSO-Marine Extension Service About the University of Georgia
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 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.
About The College/Unit/Department
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:
• Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development
• Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
• Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Resilient Communities and Economies
College/Unit/Department website https://gacoast.uga.edu/ Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
40 hours/week availability
Typically, staff will work 5 days a week (M-F), which will involve 3-4 field days and 1-2 office days; however, the work schedule may require shorter or longer days or a weekend depending on the task schedule. UGA observes most federal holidays , which will be covered as paid leave. Vacation and sick leave are accrued monthly.
Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience Posting Date 03/17/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 04/01/2025 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Outside Athens EEO Policy Statement
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).
USG Core Values Statement
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 .
Position Information
Classification Title Life Science Technician FLSA Non-Exempt FTE 1.00 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.
Position Summary
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.
Employees are eligible for dental, eye, and life insurance and retirement investments as part of fully benefited employment at the university.
Staff are to provide their own housing, cell phone, and transportation for work commute and occasional fieldwork (the latter of which is reimbursable when UGA fleet vehicles are not available). Living location is based on the candidate’s preference for commutes to the office and field sites. Given the training investment and responsibility that are offered as part of this position, we request a minimum of a one-year commitment. Extensions are possible based on job performance and funding availability. This position will operate both in independent and team settings. There will be opportunities for leadership and coordination in certain capacities, and for working cooperatively as good team players in others.
Field Competencies
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
• A dedicated interest in the conservation and management of wildlife and ecologically viable habitats that interface with human activities.
• Field experience with ecological survey and monitoring methods, including wildlife visual encounter surveys and trapping.
• Experience with animal movement research, specifically GPS and/or VHF systems.
• Experience driving 4WD trucks on muddy, sandy and challenging unpaved roads,
• Experience with ArcGIS, statistical analysis and data management software.
• Knowledge of southeastern habitats and upland sandhills plant and animal communities.
• Field experience with surveying for Gopherus spp., including experience with burrow scopes.
• Field experience in the collection and management of field data, sometimes in large amounts such as wildlife camera data.
Leadership Expectations
• Show initiative in acquiring the knowledge needed to conduct job effectively and according to contracted timelines and deliverables (internally through peers and supervisor, externally through networking and literature review).
• Show initiative in developing or contributing to novel equipment and statistical advancements in the field.
• Show initiative in communicating with supervisor on task progress and where hurdles are complicating established objectives and timelines.
• Show initiative in scheduling and organizing internal meetings with supervisor and co-workers on upcoming tasks.
Character Skills
• A high-level of organization and professionalism and pride in quality performance.
• A philosophy for direct, honest and efficient communication with co-workers and supervisor, and a willingness to offer constructive feedback to both.
• Leadership and patience when training incoming seasonal technicians and interns on field and office protocols and supporting their growth into independent execution of their respective tasks.
• Flexibility with scheduling and physical and mental resiliency as the nature of field ecology, conservation planning, and the state of the world around us changes constantly.
• An ability to uphold and model a positive attitude, even in thorny patches, literally and figuratively.
• A sense of mindfulness and gratitude for the people and opportunities around you.
Physical Demands
• Good physical condition and a patient temperament, whether by yourself or with co-workers in the field.
• Some long days in the field in hot, buggy conditions, and surveys in thick, thorny vegetation.
• Physical exertion may involve walking up to 10 mi/day for surveys, sometimes carrying up to 15lbs of equipment and bulky burrow scopes.
• Scoping burrows requires continuous bending over and squatting.
• Tortoises can be challenging to capture and handle and occasional capture and safe handling of venomous snakes will be expected.
• Driving multiple hours round-trip to field sites.
Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? Yes Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy
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 .
Background Investigation Policy
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 .
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Field work focused on research data collection, community engagement, or youth programming on various projects.
Percentage of time 25 Duties/Responsibilities
Office work, including the data entry, management, map creation, photo processing and literature research for both scientific/reporting and non-scientific purposes.
Percentage of time 40 Duties/Responsibilities
Field work focused on pre-impact mine site surveys and priority species assessments on industry sites, in addition to planning and mitigation actions (e.g., re/translocation of animals).
Percentage of time 25 Duties/Responsibilities
• Coordinate or assist with the husbandry of captive animals, primarily the incubation of tortoise eggs or hatchlings from the mine site that have been relocated or those that are from the recipient sites and part of research projects.
• Assist with training incoming personnel on husbandry and care techniques and provide oversight to ensure that lab protocols are being maintained for quality, standardized care.
Percentage of time 5 Duties/Responsibilities
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.
Percentage of time 5
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact
Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Kimberly Andrews Recruitment Contact Email kma77@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
• * Do you have a valid Driver's license?
• YES
• NO
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
• Resume/CV
Optional Documents
• Cover Letter
• List of References with Contact Information
Higher Education
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Part-time