FWC JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Working Title:  RESEARCH ASSISTANT-FWC Broadband/Class Code:  19-1023-02 Position Number:  77072951-51366051 Annual Salary Range:  $17,173 annually Announcement Type:  Internal Agency City:  Tequesta Facility:  Tequesta Field Laboratory Pay Grade/ Pay Band:  BB008 Closing Date:  4/8/2016

 

INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY

(ONLY CURRENT FWC CS/SES/OPS EMPLOYEES WILL BE CONSIDERED)

Position number:  77072951

Class Code: 5061

Region – South 

Title – Research Assistant 

Working hours- 20 hr/week

Salary - $660.50 biweekly 

List of any subordinates supervised- None

Residency requirement- None 

Location – Tequesta Field Laboratory, South Region 

Level of Education- B.S. degree in one of the physical or life sciences required. M.S. preferred.

Preferred Experience – Two years of work experience in the field of biological sciences and one year of work experience involving sea turtles

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division:  Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Section:  Wildlife Research

Sub-section:  Marine Turtles

Location Address: 19100 SE Federal Highway, Tequesta, FL 33469

Supervisor:  Allen Foley (Subsection Leader)

 

This position also includes a 20 hr/week OPS component to make it a 40 hr/week position (20 hours Career Service and 20 hours OPS). The position requires working on one weekend day. Hourly rate for OPS position is $16.50. Funding for this position is provided by a recurring federal grants. Continued employment is subject to annual renewals.

Description of position:

The State of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking a Research Assistant primarily to assist with activities associated with the Florida Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (FLSTSSN).  Since the late 1970's, the State of Florida, through FWRI has coordinated and maintained the state's STSSN.  The FLSTSSN functions as a part of the nationwide STSSN, coordinated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  This network is responsible for gathering data on and documenting all dead, sick, or injured (i.e., stranded) sea turtles.  In Florida, stranded sea turtles are documented by FWRI staff biologists and by a network of permitted participants located around the state.  Since 1980, over 35,000 stranded turtles have been documented by the Florida STSSN, averaging about 1,800 per year during the most recent five-year period.  The documentation of stranded sea turtles is an important component of monitoring the status of sea turtle populations and provides an opportunity to identify and address mortality factors.

The primary functions for this position include responding or coordinating the response to reports of stranded sea turtles and appropriately documenting the incident when needed; transporting sick or injured sea turtles to rehabilitation facilities; transporting dead turtles to necropsy facilities; assisting with necropsies; assisting in the review, editing, and coding of completed FLSTSSN forms; entering FLSTSSN data into appropriate databases; uploading photos associated with FLSTSSN reports and combining all reporting forms over 1-2 day periods into a single electronic file (pdf) to provide easy access for staff; providing training and guidance for FLSTSSN participants; conducting workshops on the methodologies and strategies for collecting and reporting data on stranded sea turtles; regularly interacting with FLSTSSN participants to maintain effective communication; assisting in the preparation of reports on sea turtle mortality in Florida; and assisting with other sea turtle research projects.

Desired qualifications include: Knowledge of sea turtle biology and conservation, especially pertaining to sea turtles in Florida and knowledge of the terminology and methodology used when collecting data on stranded sea turtles.   The ability to communicate effectively and positively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of people (biological and conservation professionals, agency personnel, law enforcement personnel, private citizens, and media representatives) and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.  The ability and desire to develop long-term partnerships with all STSSN participants.  The ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments, to multi-task, to work independently, and to serve on-call as needed.  The ability to perform field work under various field conditions, including some heavy (up to 50 lbs.) lifting, and to organize and maintain field notes.  The ability to drive a large pick-up truck and maintain a valid driver’s license.  Skill in the use Microsoft Office Software, web-based databases, and in mapping and interpreting spatial data.

 

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 (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.)         
• 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.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, eligible veterans and spouses of veterans who are Florida residents will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply. However, applicants claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each application submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  All documentation is due by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.  Documentation is based on the type of veteran preference claim.  For information on the supporting documentation required, click here.   Applicants may fax their supporting documentation to People First at 1-888-403-2110.

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.