Job Announcement – Seasonal/Part-time
Environmental Monitor – Sea Turtle Nesting Surveys 2025
St. Lucie and Martin Counties, Florida
Ecological Associates, Inc.
P.O. Box 405
Jensen Beach, Florida, 34958
(772) 334-3729
Location: South Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie and Martin Counties, and Jupiter Island, Martin County
Position Type: Seasonal
Duration: March 2025 to November 2025, dates may vary depending on nesting season
Pay Classification/Compensation: Starting at $17.00/hour, Part-time, Hourly, Non-exempt, Not Benefit Eligible
Hours: 20 to 40 hours per week, work hours will vary ranging from about 20 hours per week at the beginning of the season to 40 hours per week during peak season. Variability in hours is dependent on nesting activity and project monitoring requirements.
Housing: Not provided
Application: Single document containing letter of interest, resume, and the names and email addresses of 3 references. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) is an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Jensen Beach, Florida providing a broad range of biological and ecological services. Detailed information on the firm can be found on the website listed above.
During 2025, EAI will be documenting sea turtle nesting and reproductive success on South Hutchinson Island and Jupiter Island, Florida. This will involve daily early morning surveys using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to record all sea turtle nesting activity, marking and monitoring of nests sites, and excavating marked nests. Other related activities may include responding to sea turtle strandings, conducting beach escarpment surveys or shorebird surveys, supporting community outreach events and programs, and assisting with data management. EAI will also be providing wildlife monitoring services for a beach nourishment project which will require nighttime surveys. Nighttime monitoring will involve patrolling the beach via ATV at least once an hour from 9:00 PM to sunrise the following morning, recording all sea turtle nesting activity, encountering nesting female sea turtles as they lay their eggs, and relocating the eggs or leaving the eggs in situ and barricading the nest for avoidance. EAI anticipates nighttime monitoring will be required for 1-3 months, after which surveyors will resume daytime surveys.
EAI is seeking individuals to assist in the surveys described above. We are looking for individuals with previous sea turtle monitoring experience, or previous field experience following standard operating procedures collecting data under adverse conditions. We are also looking for individuals who are effective communicators and team players that are flexible as things change or come up unexpectedly.
Job Summary:
Environmental Monitors perform field work and provide support for a variety of projects, with an expected ratio of 80% field and 20% office work during a typical week.
Daytime Work Duties/Responsibilities:
· Conduct early morning beach surveys on an ATV.
· Identify and record the numbers of turtle crawls by species.
· Obtain GPS readings of all crawls using hand-held Trimble/Survey123 app.
· Locate eggs and mark sea turtle nests.
· Monitor sea turtle nests to determine nest fates and dates of hatchling emergence.
· Evaluate hatchling tracks to ensure they reached the ocean.
· Excavate nests and interpret contents.
· Respond to and collect data from stranded sea turtles.
· Conduct weekly post-construction shorebird surveys; identify all shorebird species and document behavior (including nesting and courtship).
· Conduct weekly post-construction beach escarpment surveys.
· Enter data in Microsoft Excel and Survey123.
· Clean and maintain ATVs.
Nighttime Work Duties/Responsibilities:
· Patrol beach at night on an ATV from approximately 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM for nesting turtles during construction.
· Identify nesting turtles and clearly mark nests for relocation.
· Assist with nest relocation.
· Obtain GPS readings of all crawls using Survey123 app.
· Coordinate with construction crews.
Required Skills/Abilities:
· Able to work independently and as part of a team.
· Excellent organizational and record keeping skills with attention to detail.
· Able to follow complex instructions and standard operating procedures.
· Excellent communication, data management, and creative problem-solving skills.
· Must possess a clean driving record.
· Comfortable speaking professionally to members of the public.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
· Experience operating and driving an ATV is preferred.
· Practical experience using GPS instrumentation is preferred.
· Microsoft Office experience is preferred.
Education and Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree preferred.
· One year of related experience required.
Physical Requirements:
· Able to work outdoors in extreme conditions (long hours, inclement weather, heat, humidity, cold, biting insects, at night).
· Perform work on unpaved, uneven surfaces (tripping hazards).
· Perform work in, on, and around water (rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.).
· Must be able to stand, bend, sit, lift, and drive.
· Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
· Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Reports to:
Senior Scientist and Biologist
Equal Opportunity Employer Drug Free Workplace
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
