Job Opportunities | The Croc Docs

The Croc Docs are currently seeking qualified candidates for the below positions:

Crocodylian Technician

The University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, Florida (the Croc Docs) is seeking enthusiastic individuals who will work with scientists from the University of Florida as well as scientists and managers from state and federal agencies. The crocodylian technician will assist with research and monitoring projects in the Florida Everglades, Jamaica, Colombia, and Belize. Available positions require a minimum one-year commitment that may be extended depending on performance and funding. Candidate will be expected to work 40 hours a week, including nights and occasional weekends. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Duties:

Primary duties include spotlight and capture surveys of American alligators and American crocodiles in the Florida Everglades, radio telemetry, boat and vehicle maintenance, and data management. May be required to assist with other active projects related to invasive species. Interest in developing quantitative skills, experience in statistical analyses, Program R, GIS, and database management preferred.

Required Qualifications:

Possess degree in ecology, biology, wildlife, environmental science, or related field
Knowledge of aquatic ecosystems
Excellent communication skills and accurate data recording
Possession or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license
Experience working with wild crocodylians
Experience navigating off-trail and over water with aid of GPS and compass
Experience driving motorboats and/or airboats
Experience operating vehicles with 4WD
• Maintain work quality and positive attitude in challenging muddy, rocky, remote settings in hot and humid weather with lightning, biting insects, large reptiles, venomous snakes, and poisonous plants

Salary: Commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience.

Start date: As soon as a suitable candidate is identified and available.

To Apply: Please send letter of interest and resume or CV by email to Dr. Frank Mazzotti at: thecrocdocs@gmail.com with the subject heading “Crocodylian Technician” to be considered for this position.

Wildlife Technician

The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center is seeking an enthusiastic individual for hire. Technician will assist with projects related to research and monitoring of native and invasive reptiles in southern Florida. Candidates will be expected to work 40 hours a week, including nights. This position runs through October 31st, 2023, with the possibility of promotion to a full-time position dependent upon performance and funding.

Duties:

Technician will work with scientists and managers from the University of Florida as well as state and federal agencies. Primary duties include live trapping and camera trapping for Argentine Black & White Tegus (30%), radio tracking and camera trapping of Burmese pythons (20%), herpetofaunal surveys (20%), necropsy of select specimens (20%), and American Alligator and Crocodile data collection (10%). This opportunity will provide necessary training and exposure to arduous conditions of southern Florida and hands-on experience with native and invasive exotic reptiles. This position has an intensive and demanding field component. Additional duties include data entry and other tasks as assigned. Depending on availability, Technician may have occasional opportunities to participate in other research projects.

Qualifications:

Possess bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, wildlife, environmental science, or related field
Maintain work quality and positive attitude in challenging, muddy, rocky, remote settings in hot and humid weather with biting insects, alligators, and venomous snakes
Excellent communication skills and accurate data recording are essential
Ability to work independently and with others in a fast-paced environment
Possession or ability to obtain a valid Florida’s driver’s license
Experience navigating off-trail with aid of GPS and compass
Working knowledge of South Florida ecosystems and wildlife, experience operating vehicles with 4WD and manual transmissions, native wildlife identification, and wilderness first aid/first aid/CPR training is helpful but not required

Salary: $16.50/hour

Start date: By January 6th, or as soon as candidate is identified and available.

To Apply: Please send letter of interest and resume or CV by email to Dr. Frank Mazzotti at: thecrocdocs@gmail.com with the subject heading “Wildlife Technician”. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Wildlife Biologist

The University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Davie, Florida (the Croc Docs ) is seeking enthusiastic individuals to work with scientists from the University of Florida as well as scientists and managers from state and federal agencies. The positions require a minimum one-year commitment that may be extended depending on performance and funding. Candidate will be expected to work 40 hours a week, including nights and occasional weekends.

To learn about the Croc Docs and current projects, please visit our website (http://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu) or (https://www.facebook.com/TheCrocDocs).

Required Qualifications

Possess degree in ecology, biology, wildlife, environmental science, or related field
Ability to identify native and nonnative reptile species in South Florida
Experience navigating off-trail with aid of GPS and compass
Ability to safely capture and handle large reptiles, particularly Burmese pythons
Demonstrated project management skills
Demonstrated quantitative skills and experience with database management
Excellent communication and writing skills
Possession or ability to obtain a valid Florida driver's license
Maintain work quality and positive attitude in challenging, muddy, rocky, remote settings in hot and humid weather with biting insects, lightning, large reptiles, venomous snakes, and poisonous plants

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in ecology, biology, wildlife, environmental science, or related field
Knowledge of ecosystems in South Florida
Experience operating airboats and trailering strongly preferred
Experience with radio-telemetry techniques strongly preferred
Experience operating drones and/or desire to obtain drone pilot license
Experience working with large invasive reptiles in Florida

Duties

Primary duties include project management, data management, analyses, and writing of reports and manuscripts, as well as conducting herpetofaunal surveys, radio-telemetry, live-trapping, removal and necropsy of nonnative species, boat and vehicle maintenance, May assist with other active projects.

Start date: By January 6th, or as soon as candidate is identified and available.

Salary: Minimum starting salary $18.50/hr, Commensurate with experience

To Apply: Please email letter of interest, resume or CV, and names and contact information for three references to Dr. Frank Mazzotti at thecrocdocs@gmail.com with the subject heading: “Wildlife Biologist”. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found.