The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) at Florida State University is looking for a mid-level field biologist who will have the opportunity to assist with a variety of conservation focused botanical, zoological, and ecological projects depending on their capabilities. Currently funded projects this position may work on include rare plant surveys, invasive plant surveys, gopher tortoise surveys, camera trapping of herps and mammals, vegetation monitoring, conservation easement monitoring, and natural (vegetative) community mapping. Working with co-workers, and agency partners, this Field Biologist will gather and process field data, prepare reports, attend meetings, and perform other duties necessary to complete projects under the direction of the Senior Botanist and other project leads. The position requires extensive travel (up to 90%) and field work in remote locations across Florida throughout the year.

The Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) is Florida's Natural Heritage Program and state member of the NatureServe network. We are housed within the Florida Resources and Environmental Analysis Center at Florida State University . FNAI maintains a spatial database of information on Florida's rarest species and conservation lands and works on an array of applied research projects to inform conservation and land management decisions. Our funding is provided by contracts and grants from state and federal agency partners.

Our office is off campus in Midtown, which is centrally located near shops, restaurants, and historic neighborhoods. The larger Tallahassee region offers many outdoor recreation opportunities in the nearby Apalachicola National Forest and a number of coastal parks and refuges within a short drive from town.

For additional information about us please visit: https://www.fnai.org/

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct botanical/zoological/ecological field data collection for FNAI contract and grant funded projects. This may require up to 90% travel for some periods.
• Prepare maps using ArcGIS, process field data, analyze spatial and tabular data, and prepare written documents on findings suitable for agency reports or publications.
• Collaborate with co-workers and agency partners to coordinate project activities and present results.
• Attend meetings and workshops relevant to performance of position.
• Assist in the completion of contract and grant proposals and technical reports upon project completion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences (graduate degree preferred)
• Excellent physical condition (able to hike for most of a 10-hr day through a variety of habitats in any weather).
• Minimum of two years full-time experience collecting biological field data.
• Ability to safely conduct rigorous field work using standard field equipment including 4x4 vehicles and sometimes boats.
• Experience/interest in primitive camping during field work (camping on site during the cooler months allows FNAI staff to make good use of daylight in areas where hotels are far away).
• Willingness to travel frequently during the workweek (potentially as much as 90% for some periods), drive long distances, and work long days (averaging 10 hrs.). Field trips are generally Monday – Thursday and require overnight stays in hotels or remote camping.
• Experience using dichotomous keys.
• Ability to communicate well in person and in writing.
• Ability to work well with FNAI staff scientists.
• Good organizational skills; meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently as well as be part of a team and meet deadlines.
• A commitment to FNAI’s conservation goals.
• Experience with personal computers, databases, GPS, and GIS.

PREFERRED:

• Ability to start work by July 2024.
• Experience with natural community and habitat interpretation from aerial photographs, satellite imagery, and soil surveys.
• Experience in the statistical analysis of biological data.
• Familiarity with conservation land management practices
• Knowledge of conservation easements – establishment, associated land use restrictions, monitoring procedures, etc
• One or more of:
  • Working knowledge of common native and invasive plants of Florida or the southeast.
  • Working knowledge of commensal species commonly encountered in gopher tortoise burrows.
  • Ability to identify birds of Florida by sight and sound.
  • Ability to identify Florida mammals and knowledge of their biology and behavior.
  • Ability to identify reptiles and amphibians of Florida by sight and sound (as applicable).
  • Experience using camera traps in herp and mammal inventory.

CONSIDERATIONS:

• This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.
• Funding is available to support this position for one year. Employment beyond June 2025 is contingent on continued project funding.

CONTACT INFO:

• For questions, or more information, contact Frank Price, FNAI Director, at fprice@fnai.fsu.edu or Amy Jenkins, FNAI Senior Botanist, at ajenkins@fnai.fsu.edu.