Seasonal Biologist, Sea Turtle Rehabilitation

Position Summary                        

This is a full time seasonal position lasting 3 months. 

The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center Seasonal Biologist supports the care and rehabilitation of rescued marine turtles and contributes to daily facility operations at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center (STRC), located at The Florida Aquarium’s Apollo Beach campus. This role also involves field response and animal transport activities in support of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN). The position will ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations and guidelines, in coordination with the Animal Health team

Essential Position Functions

• Ensure full compliance with all Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) marine turtle regulations, as well as adherence to The Florida Aquarium’s (TFA) established processes, protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Perform daily husbandry responsibilities for marine turtles, including but not limited to diet preparation, feeding, and assisting with medical procedures such as diagnostics and treatments.

• Maintain the highest standards of care for marine turtle habitats and life support systems (LSS), including tasks such as diving to clean enclosures, maintaining and monitoring ozone and LSS equipment, conducting water quality testing, and performing water changes in accordance with SOPs.

• Support field operations including the response, rescue, and transportation of stranded marine turtles; assist with data and sample collection, necropsy procedures both onsite and in the field, carcass disposal, and the release of rehabilitated turtles.

• Ensures accurate animal record keeping through consistent utilization of electronic record keeping system (Tracks).

• Supports TFA’s Shared Purpose by participating in a Conservation Day of Action shift on an annual basis.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education, Requirements, and Technical Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

• Minimum of one year of direct experience working with marine turtles, with foundational knowledge of husbandry practices and environmental parameters necessary for their care.

• Working knowledge of life support system (LSS) operations and troubleshooting, including chlorine and ozone disinfection systems, as well as water quality testing and chemical management.

• Strong knowledge of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) protocols and procedures preferred

• Schedule flexibility during cold-stun season

• Ability to work on-call as a part of a rotating roster to respond to emergencies or stranding events as needed

• SCUBA certification is required

• Knowledge of animal record-keeping systems (ZIMS/Tracks) preferred

• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

• Must be willing and able to obtain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License

• Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and/or holidays

Competencies

• Customer Focus: Demonstrates courtesy, cooperation and friendliness with staff, volunteers and customers. Actively listens, anticipates and evaluates the customer’s needs. Ensures that customer satisfaction is a priority in all areas of responsibility. Actively engages our customers while fulfilling job responsibilities.

• Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork: Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team effectiveness; demonstrating sensitivity for the feelings and needs of team members and supporting team goals.

• Professional and Technical Knowledge: Remains current on developments in the fields within and outside the organization; maintains proficiencies.

• Communication (oral and written): Effectively expressing ideas verbally and non-verbally and actively listening to individuals and groups; preparing and focusing presentations to the characteristics and needs of the audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents. 

• Judgment: Deciding on and committing to an action on the examination of the facts at hand; finding creative solutions to situations and opportunities that arise; taking strategic risks when necessary.

• Work Standards: Applies high-performance standards to all work-related activities.

Typical Physical Requirements

• Sitting (2 hours per day) 

• Standing (2 hours per day) 

• Walking (4 hours per day) 

• Bending/Stooping — Frequently 

• Squatting — Frequently 

• Reaching above shoulders — Frequently 

• Crouching — Occasionally 

• Kneeling — Frequently 

• Balancing — Frequently 

• Pushing/Pulling — Frequently 

• Carrying (up to 25 lbs.) — Frequently 

• Lifting (up to 25 lbs.) — Frequently 

• Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity 

• Typing on a computer keyboard 

• Coping with demands (stresses that are associated with the job and/or the work environment so that acceptable 

• Levels of performance and overall contribution are maintained) 

• Operating machinery 

• Ability to travel (car) as needed 

• Ability to travel (air) as needed 

• Ability to conduct field work in collection and research 

• Daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate 

• Ability to interact and be around wild animals 

• Exposure to various plants and birds 

• Subject to bites, stings and scrapes