Environmental Monitor - Sea Turtle Nesting Surveys Delray Beach, FL

Location: Delray Beach, Palm Beach County

Position Type: Seasonal/Part-time

Duration: March 2026 to November 2026, dates may vary depending on nesting season

Pay Classification/Compensation: Starting at $18.00/hour, Part-time, Hourly, Non-exempt, Not Benefit Eligible

Hours: 15 to 40 hours per week, work hours will vary ranging from about 15 hours per week at the beginning of the season to 40 hours per week during peak season. Variability in hours is dependent on nesting activity and project monitoring requirements.

Housing: Not provided

Application: Single document containing letter of interest, resume, and the names and email addresses of 3 references. Incomplete applications may not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We are hiring for 3 locations, include which locations you are interested in, in your letter of interest; do not need to submit multiple applications.

Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) is an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Jensen Beach, Florida providing a broad range of biological and ecological services. Detailed information on the firm can be found on the website listed above.

During 2026, EAI will be documenting sea turtle nesting and reproductive success on Delray Beach, Florida. This will involve daily early morning surveys using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to record all sea turtle nesting activity, marking and monitoring of nests sites, and excavating marked nests. Other related activities may include responding to sea turtle strandings, supporting community outreach events and programs, and assisting with data management. EAI will also be providing wildlife monitoring services for a beach nourishment project which may require nighttime surveys. If nighttime monitoring is required, it will involve patrolling the beach via ATV at least once an hour from 9:00 PM to sunrise the following morning, recording all sea turtle nesting activity, encountering nesting female sea turtles as they lay their eggs, and relocating the eggs or leaving the eggs in situ and barricading the nest for avoidance. Note, this is not a nighttime tagging program. EAI anticipates if nighttime monitoring is required, it will be for no more than 2 months during early season after which surveyors will resume daytime surveys.

EAI is seeking individuals to assist in the surveys described above. These positions are remote and Environmental Monitors will not be reporting to/working out of EAI’s headquarters. As a result, we are looking for individuals who thrive working with limited in-person guidance, are effective communicators, as well as have previous sea turtle monitoring experience, or individuals with previous field work experience following standard operating procedures collecting data under adverse conditions.

Job Summary:

Environmental Monitors perform field work and provide support for a variety of projects, with an expected ratio of 90% field and 10% office work during a typical week.

Daytime Work Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct early morning beach surveys on an ATV.
• Identify and record the numbers of turtle crawls by species.
• Obtain GPS readings of all crawls using Survey123 app.
• Locate eggs and mark sea turtle nests.
• Assist with nest relocations.
• Monitor sea turtle nests to determine nest fates and dates of hatchling emergence.
• Evaluate hatchling tracks to ensure they reached the ocean.
• Excavate nests and interpret contents.
• Respond to and collect data from stranded sea turtles.
• Conduct weekly post-construction shorebird nesting surveys; identify species and document nesting and courtship behavior.
• Conduct weekly post-construction beach escarpment surveys.
• Enter data in Microsoft Excel and Survey123.
• Clean and maintain ATVs.

Nighttime Work Duties/Responsibilities:

• Patrol beach at night on an ATV from approximately 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM for nesting turtles.
• Identify nesting turtles and clearly mark nests for relocation.
• Assist with nest relocations.
• Obtain GPS readings of all crawls using Survey123 app.
• Conduct daily shorebird nesting surveys; identify species and document nesting and courtship behavior.
• Coordinate with construction crews.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Able to work independently and as part of a
• Excellent organizational and record keeping skills with attention to
• Able to follow complex instructions and standard operating procedures.
• Excellent communication, data management, and creative problem-solving
• Must possess a clean driving
• Comfortable speaking professionally to members of the public.

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Experience operating and driving an ATV is preferred.
• Practical experience using GPS instrumentation is preferred.
• Microsoft Office experience is

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• One year of related experience

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work outdoors in extreme conditions (long hours, inclement weather, heat, humidity, cold, biting insects, at night).
• Perform work on unpaved, uneven surfaces (tripping hazards).
• Perform work in, on, and around water (rivers, lakes, oceans, ).
• Must be able to stand, bend, sit, lift, and
• Must be able to lift up to 50
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a

Reports to:

Senior Scientist and Biologist

Equal Opportunity Employer Drug Free Workplace

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.