Field Technician - Sea Turtles

Mass Audubon; Wellfleet (MA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Phone stipend

Shared housing available

Job summary

Mass Audubon’s Field Technician - Sea Turtles at Wellfleet Bay in Massachusetts seeks a motivated seasonal team member to respond to cold-stunned turtles, walk beaches day and night, and assist with data collection and reporting. The role requires lifting heavy loads, driving to beaches, and working weekends.

The position runs October 15 to January 16, ~40 hours/week with tides and weather shaping the schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3–6 months of field monitoring experience with wildlife or marine species preferred.
• Experience with field-based research and data management.
• Experience capturing, handling, measuring, and marking turtles and working with spatial data preferred.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and drag 100+ lbs on beach carts for several miles.
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle; weekend and holiday availability.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and recover cold-stunned sea turtles found by volunteers or staff, day and night per shifts.
• Receive hotline calls on personal phone when assigned.
• Walk beaches to locate sea turtles during day and certain night high tides.
• Assist in moving large turtles using carts and gear to transport to vehicles.
• Organize, stock, and maintain equipment and lab/processing spaces.
• Enter and summarize data; maintain databases including spatial data and photo libraries.
• Communicate with Turtle Research Coordinator, Science Coordinator, and partners.
• Work with education staff to assist with or conduct programs for adults/children.
• Night shifts for hotline monitoring and turtle retrieval; use Excel for end-of-season report.

Skills

Turtle handling

Spatial data

Heavy lifting

Driver's license

Weekend work

Wildlife field monitoring

Data management

Education

Bachelors degree in wildlife biology or related field

Tools

GPS / spatial data tools

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Field Technician - Sea Turtles

SEASONAL Wellfleet Bay, South Wellfleet, MA, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1918

Salary Range: $19.00 To $21.00 Hourly

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org .

Responsibilities

• Respond to and recover cold-stunned turtles found by trained volunteers, other staff, or the beach walking public, both day and night, according to scheduled shifts
• Receive forwarded hotline calls on personal phone periodically
• Walk assigned beaches looking for sea turtles during both daytime and on certain night high tides, often under very cold and windy conditions
• Respond in pairs to large loggerhead turtles weighing 100lbs or more, using special carts and other gear to get them off the beach and into a vehicle
• Help organize, restock, and maintain all equipment and lab/turtle processing spaces
• Enter and summarize data and maintain databases, including spatial data and photo libraries
• Maintain effective communication about all job activities with Turtle Research Coordinator, Science Coordinator, and all other team members and support staff, and key external partners
• On occasion, work with education staff to assist with or conduct education programs for adults and children
• Sea turtle work often requires working at night, alone or with other team members, to monitor the hotline and retrieve, receive, and check in turtles found by volunteers or other staff assigned to overnight high tides
• Utilize data analysis skills and Microsoft Excel to compile end of season report and distribute to 250+ partners and volunteers

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Bachelor's Degree in wildlife biology or management, ecology, zoology, environmental science or related field, or equivalent experience
• Three to six months of prior experience with herpetological or marine animal field monitoring, data collection and management desired
• Demonstrated experience utilizing judgment in field-based wildlife research and management projects
• Experience capturing, handling, measuring, and marking turtles, and working with spatial data preferred
• Be able to lift 50lbs and drag 100+lbs turtles on beach carts for up to a few miles
• Valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle
• Willing to work weekends and holidays

Nice to Haves

• Experience capturing, handling, measuring, and marking turtles and working with spatial data preferred

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $19.00-$21.00 per hour; actual rate of pay will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This is not a benefits eligible position.A $30 stipend is provided in compensation for personal phone use. Shared housing can be available at $30-35 per week.

Work Schedule

This position starts on October 15, 2026 and ends on January 16, 2027. 40 hours per week over five days, flexible based on tides and weather. The schedule often includes evening shifts.

Other Requirements

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply

Mass Audubon’s mission is to "protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife" by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.