Little St. Simons Island (LSSI) is a privately-owned 11,000 acre barrier island in coastal Georgia accessible by boat only. The island is also fully conserved and protected by a conservation easement that is held by the Nature Conservancy. Boasting 3,000 acres of upland habitats (live oak and pine forests, grasslands, freshwater wetlands), 8,000 acres of coastal salt marsh, and 7 miles of undeveloped barrier island beach the Lodge on Little Saint Simons Island is a destination for as many as 32 overnight guests with extraordinary opportunities for bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, and kayaking. The island is a member of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network and is recognized internationally as an Important Bird Area.

As a naturalist, you will live and work on a private barrier island, on the Georgia coast with <20 other people. Your primary focus would be leading/facilitating/guiding the many activities offered by the lodge for overnight guests such as birding, hiking, fishing, kayaking, etc. All through the lens of education and conservation. As well as the maintenance and upkeep of the department and all its related parts. Trails, Bikes, Fishing Gear, Kayaks, Guest Amenities, Facilities etc....

In addition to the experience that comes with the position, many career networking opportunities are afforded to our naturalists. Many have gone on to work for places such as Cornell's Lab of Ornithology, The National Parks Service, University of Georgia, and Manomet, just to name a few. Many have gone on to complete graduate research using contacts made working at LSSI and some have even been able to use LSSI and its facilities as a research site for their projects.

Basic Job Responsibilities: 

• The primary role of the naturalist is to lead/guide outdoor education programs including but not limited to: conservation, birding, fishing, reptiles, coastal plant communities, barrier island beach ecology, marine life.
• Guiding kayak trips (~2 hours) through coastal salt-marsh.
• Giving occasional indoor presentations concerning Conservation and Ecology topics related to Coastal Georgia. 
• Trail and road maintenance. 
• Cleaning and maintenance of equipment: vehicles, kayaks, motorized skiffs, fishing equipment, bicycles (bike mechanic knowledge a plus), optical equipment etc...
• Maintenance of facilities: Cleaning, painting, power washing, refinishing.
• Give and receive constructive feedback. 
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds. 
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions, humidity, biting insects, odors. 

Salary: 

• $11.50/hr plus room/board (Room/Board valued at additional $10/hr)
• Housing (private fully furnished apartment, Wi-Fi, Air Conditioned and Heated) 
• Meals provided (3 meals/day)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life insurance (Employer covers 85% of health insurance cost)
• 5% match 401K Plan
• Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
• Student loan assistance program

Minimum Requirements: 

• Outgoing personality: strong communication and leadership skills. Abundant enthusiasm. 
• B.S. degree in Biology or related field. 
• Driver’s license. 
• Working knowledge of bird and reptile identification, saltwater fishing (spin, fly), kayaking skills, plant communities of the coastal plain habitat.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in heat, high humidity, insects.
• First aid and CPR certified
• Computer literate in Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint.

*The position requires that the successful applicant live on a small private island with limited boat access. (Ferry departs island @10am and 330pm and returns @1030am and 4pm) 

*Due to our unique situation and limited accommodations, we are unable to accommodate spouses/ children/pets.