Biological Technician

Employer:         Turner Enterprises Management, LLC
Job Title:           Biological Technician
Location:           Avalon Plantation – Lamont, FL
Type:                Seasonal / Hourly / Non-Exempt / Non-Benefits-Eligible
Housing:           No

Avalon Plantation is located between Lamont and Monticello, Florida and is approximately 35 minutes from the capital city of Tallahassee. It is in the Red Hills region of Florida which is known for its rich biodiversity, rolling hills and red clay. The property primarily operates as a hunting property managed for the production of quail, timber and other wildlife.

Avalon is a spectacular 20,000-acre plantation that includes longleaf and other pine, old oaks, natural lakes, plenty of habitat for quail, deer other species of wildlife. The property hosts programs to help restore the Gopher Tortoise and the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker.          

ABOUT THE position
The Biological Technician plays a vital, hands-on role in advancing wildlife conservation and upland habitat restoration at Avalon Plantation. This immersive field position offers meaningful experience in gopher tortoise conservation, applied wildlife research, and longleaf pine ecosystem management in the Red Hills region of North Florida.

As a Biological Technician, the job responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Under the supervision of the Wildlife & Natural Resources team, conduct gopher tortoise burrow surveys and population monitoring activities.
• Assist with mark-recapture efforts, relocation site monitoring, health assessments, and post-release monitoring.
• Support starter burrow construction and tortoise release efforts in coordination with conservation partners.
• Collect GPS coordinates and detailed field data; maintain accurate datasheets and digital records.
• Assist with vegetation sampling and upland habitat condition assessments.
• Support prescribed fire preparation and upland pine habitat restoration activities.
• Install and maintain exclusion fencing, burrow cameras, and wildlife monitoring equipment.
• Operate ATVs/UTVs and field vehicles in rugged terrain as needed.
• Enter and manage spatial and biological data within GIS and wildlife databases.
• Assist with general conservation field projects on a working conservation property.
• All other duties as assigned.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• Enrollment in, or completion of, an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management, or a closely related field is required. An equivalent combination of relevant education and field experience may be considered.
• Prior experience with laboratory procedures and mammal trapping and handling is beneficial but not required.
• Experience using GPS units and mapping or GIS software.
• Experience operating heavy equipment is a plus; proficiency with ATVs and UTVs.
• This position requires the operation of vehicles, and you’ll need to possess a valid driver’s license or be able to obtain one within 30 days of employment.   Your driving record will need to meet the standards and requirements of the Company and the Company’s insurance provider
• You’ll need to present documentation establishing both identity and employment authorization within three days of hire pursuant to federal law

YOUR QUALITIES

• You’re a team player with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and work with multiple employees to complete a common goal.
• You exhibit sound and accurate judgment, use time efficiently, and demonstrate attention to detail.
• You’re able to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• You’re willing to commit to long hours including weekends, when necessary, to meet goals.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PERKS 

• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

On a regular basis, you can expect to:

• Stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, dig with various tools, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Perform physical labor for extended periods of time.

On a frequent basis, you can expect to:

• Operate an ATV/UTV for extended periods over uneven, rough terrain, and occasionally on roads or flat surfaces.
• Climb ladders, fences, and other similar obstacles.
• Extended hiking in remote areas.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

You will regularly be exposed to moving mechanical parts; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat. You will frequently be exposed to high, precarious places and fumes or airborne particles. You will occasionally by exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. You must be alert and aware of dangers that are present while working in a remote location.   The successful employee will be required to work relatively independently on a regular basis and must be comfortable working alone in a remote landscape. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

WORK SCHEDULE
You will typically be expected to work five (5) days per week (Monday–Friday) and up to 40 hours per week. However, work schedules may vary depending on project demands, field conditions, and weather. Workdays and workweeks may be longer or shorter as operational needs require. Workweeks of up to 60 hours are not uncommon, particularly when assigned to projects away from the primary duty station. The July 4th and Labor Day holidays, along with reasonable vacation requests, may be accommodated but will be treated as unpaid leave.

The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, and the work environment characteristics are representative of those you may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Accommodation inquiries must be made to the Company’s Human Resources Department for consideration.

Turner Enterprises Management, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Smoke Free/Drug-Free Workplace.

For more information, visit www.tedturner.com.