Jekyll Island, Georgia Vacation, Conservation, and Education Destination logo
On-site
Georgia, United States
$16.61 - $19.11 USD hourly
Job Title: Conservation Technician
Department/Division: Conservation / Administration
Status: Regular, Full-time Employee beginning early - mid May 2025
Pay: $16.61 - $19.11 per hour (DOQ)
Reports to: Natural Resources Manager
Benefits: Full Benefits eligible including health insurance, flex benefits, 10 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave accrual, amenities and parking pass.
Retirement: State Employee Retirement System - GSEPS (Pension plus matching 401k)
Closing date: 4:00pm Monday September 15, 2025    *Note: This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Only complete applications or applications with accompanying documents, when required, will be considered.  
 
To Apply: Fill out the application completely and attach your resume AND a cover letter.  Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered.  Applicants are highly encouraged to include and communicate their relevant skills and experiences for this role. 
 
Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles, and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist. 
 
Job Summary:
Under general direction, works under the supervision of the Natural Resources Manager, Wildlife Biologist, and Director of Conservation to carry out wildlife and land management activities to monitor priority species and restore priority habitats. Duties within this position will change seasonally based on program needs and the objectives set forth in the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan. 
 
Description:
Wildlife Management, depending on the season, responsible for contributing to other wildlife projects, such as:
  • Monitoring the causeway for diamondback terrapins.
  • Radio-tracking and safe handling of rattlesnakes.
  • Conducting wildlife population surveys (alligators, shorebirds, deer) using methods such as spotlight monitoring, camera trapping, live trapping, and morphometric/biological sampling.
  • Applying safe capture, handling, and trapping techniques as trained for wildlife response activities.
Seasonal Nocturnal Sea Turtle Monitoring & Tagging Operations, will serve as the primary lead for our sea turtle nighttime saturation tagging patrols, overseeing all aspects of the program from May through July. This includes:
  • Leading nightly tagging patrols to encounter, tag, and collect data on nesting sea turtles.
  • Training and coordinating seasonal interns, technicians, and volunteers.
  • Ensuring all activities follow established protocols for safety, animal welfare, and data quality.
  • Assist with sea turtle dawn patrols from July–November, documenting nesting activity, monitoring nests, and supporting hatchling emergence data collection.
Land Management (Aug-Apr)
  • Support prescribed fire operations, invasive plant control, native plant propagation, restoration planting, seed collection, plant identification, and water quality monitoring.
  • Contribute to planning and preparing priority habitats for restoration.
Technology & Data Management
  • Process, synthesize, and analyze data associated with primary projects to inform management decisions. 
  • Use ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online (Field Maps, Survey123), and other GIS tools for data collection and project completion.
  • Pilot or assist with UAV operations and photogrammetry workflows to produce imagery products to inform management decisions.
Outreach & Education
  • Lead or assist with field-based education programs.
  • Engage with the public during field activities to promote awareness of conservation work.
  • Develop and deliver professional presentations for internal and external audiences when opportunities arise.
Other Expectations
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Wildlife Biologist, Natural Resources Manager, or Director of Conservation.
  • Work independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and other departments.
  • Adapt readily to shifting priorities and dynamic field conditions.
  • Maintain a flexible schedule, which will include nights, weekends, holidays, and participation in the conservation department’s on-call wildlife response rotation.
 
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in directly related field (e.g. wildlife management, marine science, ecology, biology, zoology, environmental science) with a minimum of two (2) years related experience, including field experience.
  • Technical experience with monitoring wildlife and/or environmental conditions, data-management experience, good communication skills, positive demeanor, demonstrated ability to work and solve problems independently, and familiarity with the coastal ecology of the southeast required. 
  • A working knowledge of ArcGIS is preferred, including extensions like Survey123. 
  • Ability to use a plant key, but knowledge of coastal plant species preferred.
  • Prescribed fire certification or willingness to receive certification within 18 months of hire. 
  • Previous experience working with wildlife (e.g., radio-telemetry, live trapping, camera trapping experience). Sea turtle nest monitoring and/or handling experience preferred. Capture and handling of crocodilians and/or venomous snakes also preferred. 
  • Must have valid driver’s license. Experience driving off road in 4WD vehicles and/or UTV’s preferred.
  • Experience and/or training working with battery and gas-powered field equipment (e.g., chainsaw, brush cutters) desired. 
  • Must have or be willing to obtain rabies vaccination within 1-year of hire. 
  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including time outside of normal business hours such as early morning and/or evening and night.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
  • Exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds constantly to move objects.
  • More than 50% of the typical workday will be spent walking.
  • Between 25 and 50% of the day will be spent lifting, reaching, standing or sitting.   
  • Less than 25% of the day will be spent climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pulling, and grasping.  
  • Sensory abilities required include vision, hearing and touching with more than 50% of the day spent communicating, talking and hearing.  
  • Must have close visual clarity to perform up close work such as working with a computer as well as visual clarity to operate motor vehicles.
  • Work will be performed both inside and outside.  Work may be subject to extreme cold and extreme heat and high humidity.  Work includes exposure to vibrations, hazards, and infectious diseases.  
  • Noise level is considered normal to loud, may require shouting.
This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job. It is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time. 
 
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided. If the email confirmation is not received, the applicant may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation; however, due to the volume of applicants received, we cannot provide information on the application status after receipt. Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024. 
 
All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Only complete applications or applications with accompanying documents, when required, will be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background checks requires credit when applicable to the position. Relocation expenses are not authorized; applicants should consider this when applying.  
 
Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.  The Jekyll Island Authority is a Drug Free workplace.
 

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