Field Technician - Terrapins

Job Description

Job Description

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.

About This Position
This position involves working with the project coordinator to assist with all aspects of a long-term diamondback terrapin research project on Mass Audubon’s 1,100-acre coastal wildlife sanctuary in South Wellfleet, MA and other sites on the Outer Cape. Diamondback terrapins are state Threatened in MA. Primary duties are working with volunteers to find, protect, sometimes relocate, monitor, and excavate nests of diamondback terrapins. Other duties include entering, managing, and summarizing data, lab work which involves weighing, measuring, and monitoring hatchlings, PIT tagging adult terrapins, helping to coordinate and oversee 100+ terrapin volunteers, occasionally assisting with turtle-oriented public programs for adults and children, and possibly radio tracking box turtles.

Shared housing is available at $30.00-35.00 per week.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter. Only applications with these materials will be reviewed.

Responsibilities

• Assist Turtle Research Coordinator with volunteer scheduling, training, and communications
• Lead or observe nest searching and hatchling shifts both at the sanctuary and at select off-sanctuary sites in Wellfleet and Orleans, MA
• Manage hatchling inventory in wet lab
• Collect biological and spatial data on diamondback terrapins and box turtles including morphometrics and locations
• Help organize and maintain all field equipment and lab/turtle processing spaces
• Occasionally participating in mark-recapture surveys, where terrapins are netted and PIT tagged
• Help create maps of turtle nesting areas and other spatial data
• Enter and summarize data and maintain databases, including spatial data and photo libraries
• Maintain effective communication about all job activities with Science Coordinator, Turtle Research Coordinator, and other external team members and support staff
• Work with education staff to assist with or conduct education programs for adults and children

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 you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology or related field
• Field experience and an interest in herpetology and/or marine biology
• Willingness to spend long hours outdoors, sometimes evenings, in all sorts of weather

Nice to Haves

• Local housing
• Access to own vehicle

Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay range is $18.50-$22.00/hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This position may be eligible for health insurance benefits.

Work Schedule
This position begins on June 1, 2026 and ends on October 15, 2026. Hours are flexible based on turtle activity, typically 40 hours per week over five consecutive days, often including 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.