Biological Technician

Taylor Slough Inc. (TSI) is seeking to hire a Biological Technician to provide biological technical support and public safety oversight for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Puerto Rico. This position will primarily support Cabo Rojo NWR and may also support the broader Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, as needed. The position will assist with biological monitoring, data analysis, habitat restoration, GIS/mapping, visitor services, public safety briefings, environmental education, and field logistics to support conservation of natural resources and protection of the visiting public.

Specific activities include:

• Support Refuge Managers with monitoring, analysis, and restoration activities for resident and migratory species across the Caribbean Islands NWR Complex.
• Conduct field surveys for migratory and resident wildlife and plant species and assist in developing or applying sampling protocols.
• Establish, maintain, and analyze permanent vegetation monitoring transects following species eradication or restoration projects.
• Support the coastal bird breeding program at Cabo Rojo NWR, including monitoring shorebird reproductive success at the Salt Flats and supporting floating platform and social attraction equipment deployment.
• Analyze biological data, identify resource trends, draft technical reports, conduct literature reviews, and provide management recommendations.
• Maintain biological databases and help ensure that data entered into USFWS internal systems are complete, accurate, and organized.
• Develop habitat maps, GIS products, and spatial data to support refuge planning, habitat management, and environmental compliance activities.
• Provide technical support for habitat restoration projects, including salt flat restoration, invasive species exclusion, native plant re-establishment, planting, fencing, and trail improvement activities.
• Assist with NEPA consultation documentation, Special Use Permit technical reviews, and researcher activity reviews to support safe and compliant field operations.
• Coordinate field logistics, partner meetings, equipment needs, and implementation support for invasive species removal and other multi-agency field activities.
• Support Cabo Rojo Visitor Center operations by greeting visitors, providing accurate resource information, stocking interpretive materials, and assisting with visitor inquiries.
• Provide public safety and resource protection briefings to school groups, tourists, researchers, and other visitors at the Visitor Center, Salt Flats, and field locations.
• Support environmental education programs, outreach events, community activities, and volunteer workdays that promote the refuge mission and conservation goals.
• Assist Refuge Managers with administrative processing and tracking of Special Use Permits.
• Follow all USFWS safety practices, use required personal protective equipment, and support safe operations in high heat, high humidity, rugged terrain, and remote field settings.

Required Experience and Skills

Qualified candidates should meet one or more of the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, wildlife management, ecology, natural science, or a related field.
• Specialized experience conducting standardized biological seasonal surveys, collecting GPS data, maintaining biological databases, and supporting biological monitoring programs.
• Technical proficiency in standard biological field techniques, identification of local flora and fauna, and use of GPS/GIS tools for habitat mapping and field navigation.

Experience should include some combination of the following:

• Conducting biological field surveys, inventory and monitoring activities, vegetation monitoring, or shorebird/wildlife monitoring.
• Working with threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, coastal habitats, wetlands, salt flats, or Caribbean ecosystems.
• Using GPS, GIS, habitat mapping tools, field tablets, biological databases, and Microsoft Office applications to collect, manage, analyze, and report data.
• Preparing technical reports, biological summaries, literature reviews, maps, spatial data products, or management recommendations.
• Supporting habitat restoration, invasive species removal, native plant establishment, fencing, trail work, or other field-based conservation activities.
• Supporting environmental compliance, NEPA-related documentation, Special Use Permit reviews, or researcher activity coordination.
• Communicating biological and safety information to federal/Commonwealth partners, school groups, researchers, volunteers, visitors, and the general public.
• Working safely in field environments with high temperatures, high humidity, rugged terrain, remote locations, and travel by vehicle or boat.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound field judgment, professionalism, and the ability to work independently while keeping supervisors informed of progress and issues are required.

Preferred Experience: Experience supporting USFWS, a National Wildlife Refuge, the Caribbean Islands NWR Complex, Cabo Rojo NWR, or similar conservation and natural resource programs is preferred. Knowledge of Caribbean flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species, is highly desirable. Experience with GIS software, standardized inventory and monitoring protocols, coastal bird monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species management, visitor services, public outreach, and field safety coordination is also preferred.

Vacancy Terms

• Full-time nonexempt hourly position
• Start date subject to required Government clearance and onboarding processes
• Must possess a valid Puerto Rico driver's license and obtain required USFWS motor vehicle certifications
• Must be able to pass a state background check for security clearance purposes

Schedule

• 32 to 40 hours per week; up to 8 hours per day
• Field and office work required
• Travel by vehicle or boat to support various refuges within the Caribbean Islands NWR Complex may be required

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, wildlife management, ecology, natural science, or a related field is required or strongly preferred.

Specialized experience conducting biological surveys, GPS data collection, biological database management, habitat mapping, or related natural resource fieldwork may be considered in lieu of education.

Work Location

Primary work location is Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Support to other refuges within the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex may be required.

Send Resumes to

info@tsi-fed.us