New

Coastal Ecology Research Staff

University of Georgia

life insurance, sick time, retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Jul 28, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Number	S15510P
Working Title	Coastal Ecology Research Staff
Department	PSO-Marine Extension Service
About the University of Georgia	Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department	For more than 50 years, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant has served the state through integrated research, education, and extension programs that promote the responsible use and stewardship of Georgia's coastal resources. By serving as a bridge between scientists, local governments, and marine industries, we help communities protect coastal resources through sustainable, science-based solutions. Our extension specialists connect university expertise with local needs to strengthen the economic vitality and resilience of coastal communities. Education staff enhance environmental literacy and inspire stewardship by engaging the public, teachers, and students in programs that highlight the importance of Georgia's coastal ecosystems. We also prepare the next generation of educators and marine scientists through workforce development opportunities for college students. Meanwhile, our research program supports applied studies across Georgia that expand understanding of coastal and estuarine systems and address pressing environmental challenges. Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is managed through a federal-state partnership between the University of Georgia ( UGA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's ( NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs located in coastal and Great Lakes states and territories.
College/Unit/Department website	https://gacoast.uga.edu/
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	40 hours/week availability Typically, staff will work 5 days a week (M-F), which will involve 3-4 field days and 1-2 office days; however, the work schedule may necessitate shorter or longer days or a weekend depending on the task schedule. UGA observes most federal holidays, which will be covered as paid leave. Vacation and sick leave are accrued monthly.
Advertised Salary	$40,000 - $46,464
Posting Date	07/28/2026
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	08/31/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants	All employees will be expected to respect and uphold client confidentiality on all sites. Please include contact information (phone and email) for three professional references
Location of Vacancy	Outside Athens
EEO Policy Statement	The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement	The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title	Research Tech-Life Science I
FLSA	Non-Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications	High school diploma or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications	Undergraduate degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management, or related eld OR 3 years relevant experience in eld research and wildlife.
Position Summary	This position is for a staff researcher in the Coastal Ecology Lab with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant office and will be located fully at the off-campus UGA facility in Brunswick, Georgia. The responsibilities will be diverse and dynamic across multiple projects in the lab as the lab is funded extramurally. This staff position will play a large role in project execution and management and may also be involved with the design and implementation of novel research projects in the field. Projects will focus on ecological surveys and research primarily on wildlife, and reptiles, in particular, along with general assessments of habitat health and change in the Coastal and Coastal Plain regions of Georgia. As the lab has field sites in multiple counties within these regions, overnight travel for fieldwork ranging from 1-4 nights/week is expected, particularly during September - April. The primary responsibilities of this position will be to conduct and assist with the coordination of surveys for gopher tortoises and indigo snakes (but extends to other animal and plant species), specifically line transect distance sampling and burrow scoping. We use pre-development data to project impacts and collaboratively develop plans for the avoidance or relocation of impacted species on industry lands (e.g., utility-scale solar, mineral surface mining) with project sponsors and natural resource agencies. This position will also be involved in executing mitigation actions, such as relocations and exclusion fence/recipient pen monitoring. We further work with project sponsors to develop and implement the local stewardship, habitat management and restoration, and staff/contractor education and awareness initiatives. We also conduct research on the post-translocation status of gopher tortoises, including vegetation assessments using transects and UAVs/drones in the recipient habitats. We use these data to engage adaptive management and process improvement for wildlife and habitat. The researcher will conduct field work at multiple field locations that includes, but is not limited to, radio tracking, checking game cameras, and the seasonal trapping of tortoises to swap equipment and download data. Other grant opportunities will certainly arise during the course of employment so some new projects will come online and others will wrap up. Staff will have opportunities for input on both new and on-going projects and can participate in the proposal process as needed and as time around primary responsibilities allows. The staff will undergo and maintain specific task training for compliance with UGA protocols, including safe venomous snake handling, state vehicle and computer use, and working with minors in education programs. Training and compliances for access to some of our field sites, such as MSHA certification and refreshers, will be provided as part of the initial training and onboarding as it is required as a condition of employment. In addition to field work, this position involves regular office work to transfer and manage datasets associated with the projects, data analysis for results for sponsor reports, and natural resource agency permits. Also, this position will conduct data analysis to generate peer-reviewed publications and professional presentations for conferences. Data management, analysis and the production of maps using ArcGIS are expected to occur consistently and with self-initiative, though communication with and support from the supervisor will also be provided consistently as result production, interpretation, and dissemination will be a collaborative process. As research is fueled by innovation through new ideas, technology, and ways to analyze data, this position is an opportunity for someone who loves to learn, grow, and take the reins in their professional growth and currency. As our lab has a strong mission for community engagement and public education, the position also will assist with public communications via content development for social media and project promotion; public or classroom education events (field, classroom, tabling); and staff trainings for new miners on wildlife identification or other types of workforce development. Finally, the individual will participate in husbandry of captive education and research animals at the Marine Extension facility in Brunswick. This position may assist periodically in the scheduling and communications associated with programs and trainings. Employees are eligible for dental, eye, and life insurance and retirement investments as part of fully benefited employment at the university. Staff are to provide their own housing, cell phone, and transportation for work commute and occasional fieldwork (the latter of which is reimbursable if UGA fleet vehicles are not available). Given the training investment and responsibility that are offered as part of this position, we request a minimum of a one-year commitment. Annual extensions are possible based on job performance and funding availability. This position will operate both in independent and team settings. There will be opportunities for leadership and coordination in certain capacities, and for working cooperatively as good team players in others. All employees will be expected to respect and uphold client confidentiality on all sites.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Competencies: A dedicated interest in the conservation and management of wildlife and ecologically viable habitats that interface with human activities. Experience with ArcGIS, statistical analysis, and data management. Experience in the collection and management of large datasets. Field experience with surveying for Gopherus spp., including experience with burrow scopes. Experience driving 4WD trucks on muddy, sandy and challenging unpaved roads, Field experience with ecological survey and monitoring methods, particularly transect surveys for vegetation and wildlife, but including, visual encounter surveys, and trapping. Knowledge of southeastern habitats and upland sandhills plant and animal communities. Experience with field and analytical aspects of animal movement research, specifically GPS and/or VHF systems. Experience working on development sites or with industry partners is a plus. Experience working with Trimble GPS units and Terraflex is a plus. Experience with UAVs and associated data analysis is a plus. Leadership Expectations: Initiative in communicating with supervisor on task progress and where hurdles are complicating established objectives and timelines. Driven to acquire the knowledge needed to conduct the job effectively and according to contracted timelines and deliverables (internally through peers and supervisor, externally through networking and literature review). Interest in developing or contributing to novel equipment and statistical advancements in the field. Initiative in scheduling internal meetings with supervisor and co-workers on upcoming tasks. Ability to multi-task projects and responsibilities. Character Skills: A high-level of organization and professionalism and pride in quality performance. A philosophy for direct, honest and efficient communication with co-workers and supervisor, and a willingness to offer constructive feedback to both. Leadership and patience when training incoming seasonal technicians and student interns on field and office protocols and supporting their growth into independent execution of their respective tasks. Flexibility with scheduling and physical and mental resiliency as the nature of field ecology, conservation planning, and the state of the world around us changes constantly. An ability to uphold and model a positive attitude, even in thorny patches, literally and figuratively. A sense of mindfulness and gratitude for the people and opportunities around you.
Physical Demands	Good physical condition and a patient temperament, whether by yourself or with co-workers in the field. Some long days in the field in hot, buggy conditions, and surveys in thick, thorny vegetation. Habitat conditions will be variable, ranging from dense forests or mid-story vegetation to open, agricultural elds, or typical sandhills vegetation structure. Physical exertion may involve walking up to 10 mi/day for surveys, sometimes carrying up to 15Ibs of equipment and bulky burrow scopes. Scoping burrows requires continuous bending over and squatting. Wild and captive animals, including venomous snakes, can be challenging to capture and handle, and safety precautions and protocols must be adhered to for the well-being of the animals and employees. Driving multiple hours round-trip to field sites. Staying overnight in hotels during eld deployments.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	Yes
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	No
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	Yes
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	No
Credit and P-Card policy	Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy	Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities	Field work focused on research data collection, community engagement, or youth programming on various projects.
Percentage of time	20

Duties/Responsibilities	Office work, including the data entry, management, map creation, photo processing and literature research for both scientific/reporting and non-scientific purposes.
Percentage of time	40

Duties/Responsibilities	Field work focused on pre-impact mine site surveys and priority species assessments on industry sites, in addition to planning and mitigation actions (e.g., re/translocation of animals).
Percentage of time	30

Duties/Responsibilities

Coordinate or assist with the husbandry of captive animals, primarily the incubation of tortoise eggs or hatchlings from the mine site that have been relocated or those that are from the recipient sites and part of research projects.
Assist with training incoming personnel on husbandry and care techniques and provide oversight to ensure that lab protocols are being maintained for quality, standardized care.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities	Development of communication materials for public consumption (e.g., social media content) and programming (e.g., youth, public outreach), and staff/workforce training (e.g., wildlife response, industry field personnel); assist with maintenance of social media platforms, lab emails, and website.
Percentage of time	5