FWC Job Announcement

Working Title:  OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC Broadband/Class Code:  19-1023-01 Position Number:  77907005-51319549 Annual Salary Range:  $13.00 - $13.50 Announcement Type:  Open Competitive City:  EAST POINT Facility:  APALACHICOLA FWRI FIELD LAB Pay Grade/ Pay Band:  BB005 Closing Date:  10/30/2015

 

Title: OPS Biological Scientist I

Position #: 77907005

Supervisor: David A. Gandy                   

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Section: Fisheries Independent Monitoring (FIM)

Funding for this position comes from Saltwater Fishing license dollars.

Job Description

Conduct all aspects of the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program with emphasis on directing and executing statistically valid research experiments and surveys in both estuarine and marine waters to evaluate the relative stock abundance, occurrence, diversity and condition of Florida’s marine and brackish water fish populations. Coordinate and conduct fisheries-independent sampling efforts following strict protocols which include entering, proofing, and correcting associated data, maintaining and repairing sampling gear including boats, motors, trailers, nets, protective gear, office equipment, and electronic equipment as needed. Complete fish and invertebrate identifications following strict QA/QC protocols using a microscope. Perform routine summaries of fisheries data and assist in preparing technical and scientific reports, oral presentations, and/or manuscripts based on fisheries independent monitoring results/analysis. Participate in multidisciplinary fisheries research efforts across all FWRI-FIM field laboratories which may involve overnight travel and/or extended field trips (up to 14 consecutive days/or over weekends). Participate in offshore research cruises as needed. Perform and participate in public outreach efforts, as appropriate. Perform other related work as required. This position requires extensive field work which involves strenuous physical activities under sometimes arduous conditions for long periods of time, including heavy lifting.

Minimum Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences.

Preferred Experience

Applicants with the following experience may be given preference: Experience using fisheries-independent monitoring gear types including haul seines and trawls. Experience identifying juvenile and adult fishes found in Florida’s marine and estuarine environments in both field and laboratory settings. Experience managing large and complex scientific data sets which includes the use of Microsoft Excel, and SAS to enter, proof, format, query and summarize fisheries data. 

Knowledge, Skill(s), and Abilities

Ability to conduct biological research using scientific methods. Ability to identify juvenile and adult fishes and invertebrates collected from Florida’s coastal marine and estuarine environments. Knowledge of principles and techniques used in fisheries research, including methods used for gathering and managing fisheries data.

Ability to safely operate and maintain vehicles and small boats and motors. Ability to review, proof, enter and manage fisheries data following strict QA/QC procedures and perform basic quantitative data analysis using various software packages (i.e., SAS, ArcGIS, R, and Excel). Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written, in professional and public settings. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public. Skill in the use of fish sampling equipment (i.e., trawls, seines, traps), computers and related software (i.e., Microsoft Office Suite), and laboratory equipment (i.e., microscopes). Ability to participate in multidisciplinary fisheries research efforts across all FWRI-FIM field laboratories which may involve overnight travel and/or extended field trips (up to 14 consecutive days/or over weekends). Ability to perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions for long periods of time, including heavy lifting.

To Apply

Applicants are required to submit a complete, up-to-date, State of Florida Employment Application Form electronically in People First (http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com) by the closing date listed.  Resumes and supporting documentation may be submitted at the same time you are applying online, faxed, or mailed to People First, but do not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida Employment Application Form.

If you experience technical difficulties during the application process or when attaching documents, call People First staffing at 1-877-562-7287.  If unable to attach supporting documents to your application, they may be faxed to the People First Service Center at 1-888-403-2110.  Be sure to include the Requisition number for the position to which you are applying on each page of your faxed documents.

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?  Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? 

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• Any form of paid leave     
• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace.  All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. An Employment Eligibility Verification Check will be conducted in the E-Verify System which is a federal government electronic database that confirms the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.