Seasonal Diamondback Terrapin Technician

Job Title: Diamondback Terrapin Technician (1 position available)

Department: Georgia Sea Turtle Center

Status: Seasonal (April – August 2024)

Pay: $15.97 per hour 

Reports to: Research Program Manager

Benefits: JIA Parking pass and Amenity passes, Georgia Defined Contribution Plan (GDCP)

Closing date:  Open until filled
Note: This is seasonal position that will not exceed 6 months in duration and may work up to 40 hours week plus overtime when required. 

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist. 

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center: The Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC), operated by the Jekyll Island Authority, is a state-of-the-art facility focused on sea turtle rehabilitation, research, and education. The GSTC works to better understand the ecology and conservation needs of turtles on Jekyll Island, and in the region, while collaborating with other individuals and organizations to study a wide variety of wildlife. The GSTC’s flagship research, monitoring, and conservation projects encompass our diamondback terrapin and sea turtle conservation initiatives. Our work also supports the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan and its mission to preserve, maintain, manage, and restore Jekyll Island’s natural communities and species diversity while providing nature-based educational and recreational opportunities for the public. 

Job Summary: Under limited supervision, the diamondback terrapin technician assists with long-term field-based efforts to monitor and mitigate diamondback terrapin (DBT) road mortality along the Jekyll Island Downing-Musgrove Causeway. The DBT technician will be responsible for participating in all field aspects of the diamondback terrapin conservation program, including daily monitoring of the Downing Musgrove Causeway (April through July), experimental mitigation fence, artificial nest mounds, flashing light signs, data collection, inventory and maintenance of DBT kits, frequent impromptu public education. At the conclusion of the diamondback terrapin season, duties will shift to encompass assistance with sea turtle dawn beach monitoring duties. 

Description of duties:

I. Conduct aspects of the diamondback terrapin conservation project

• Monitoring causeway by vehicle and on-foot, collecting standard morphometric data on DBTs, marking animals for future identification using PIT tags, monel tags, filling out survey forms
• Assessing the data collected and entering information into databases (Microsoft Access, Survey123, etc)
• Removing alive, dead, and injured terrapins from the roadways
• Monitoring of 2,000-linear feet of fencing to reduce terrapin road mortality
• Weeding and maintenance of fence line and nest boxes along the causeway
• Assist with ongoing pilot studies of terrapin behavior when encountering fencing
• Assist with studies of simulated terrapin egg depredation along Jekyll Island Causeway
• Aiding in research and monitoring on the causeway with outside collaborators when assigned
• Answer questions from members of the public during unscripted field-encounters
• Aiding in research on the causeway with outside collaborators when assigned

II. Post-diamondback terrapin season assistance with sea turtle project

• Assist with daily beach surveys, nest protection efforts, and stranding responses. Follow high quality data collection protocols.

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Qualifications and required abilities:
Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (e.g., wildlife management, ecology, biology, zoology) required with a minimum of two (2) years related experience, including field experience
• Ability to conduct high quality research and monitoring
• Ability to faithfully follow data collection and management protocols with great attention to detail
• Excellent leadership and personnel management skills
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Positive demeanor, with demonstrated ability to solve problems in group settings and individually
• Diplomatic and patient communication skills; ability to communicate challenging issues
• Ability to self-manage time to ensure that all primary responsibilities are met
• Ability to work a demanding schedule including weekends and holidays, and be on-call for emergencies
• Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office, Excel and Access
• Advanced GPS and ArcGIS skills (or comparable software) required.
• Ability to operate motor vehicles safely
• Valid driver’s license required

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience performing turtle field research, including marking (notching, PIT tagging) and morphometrics.
• Knowledge of turtle biology, ecology and scientific literature
• Experience working with diamondback terrapins and sea turtles

Housing: 

• For seasonal staff, there is shared housing available for $300.00 per month with a $100 security deposit through Jekyll Island Authority. Housing payment will be paid through payroll deduction if housing is chosen.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• The work week will generally be five days a week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. including occasional holidays (e.g., 4th of July).
• Exert up to 65 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
• Ability to operate trucks, vans, and other motorized vehicles
• More than 50% of the typical workday will be spent sitting, standing, and/or walking.
• Between 25% and 50% of the day will be spent lifting, reaching, standing, or sitting.
• Less than 25% of the day will be spent climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pulling, and grasping.
• Sensory abilities required include vision, hearing and touching with more than 50% of the day spent communicating, talking, and hearing.
• Must have close visual clarity to perform up close work such as working with a computer as well as visual clarity to operate motor vehicles.
• Work will be performed both inside and outside. Work subject to extreme cold, extreme heat, rain, high humidity, and extremely high densities of biting insects. Work includes exposure to vibrations, hazards, infectious diseases, and potentially dangerous animals. The field portion of this position requires a level of fitness and mental resiliency for variable distances walking through thickly vegetated woods and on the beach. Tolerance of hot, buggy, rainy, inclement field conditions will be needed. Extreme diligence with checking for ticks.
• Noise level is considered normal to loud, may require shouting.

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job. It is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time. 
 
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.  Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided.  If the email confirmation is not received, the applicant may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation; however, due to the volume of applicants received, we cannot provide information on the application status after receipt.  Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024. 
 
All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered.  Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background checks requires credit when applicable to the position.  Relocation expenses are not authorized; applicants should consider this when applying.  
 
Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The Jekyll Island is a Drug Free Workplace.