FWC Job Announcement: FWRI 77073179, Associate Research Scientist (Fisheries Dependent Monitoring, St. Petersburg)

ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77073179

Date:  May 23, 2023

Location:  ST PETERSBURG, FL, US, 33701

 

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Requisition No: 803268 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Working Title: ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77073179

Position Number: 77073179 

Salary:  $53,045 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 06/06/2023 

 

Open Competitive Opportunity

 

Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a Background Check at no cost to the candidate.

 

This is a full-time Career Service position with benefits.

 

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking a well-qualified applicant to oversee and conduct large-scale fishery-dependent surveys and provide timely data and analyses in support of stock assessment and management needs. The selected candidate will: 

• Oversee conduct of a statewide fishery observer survey conducted on recreational for-hire vessels and adherence with established field protocols, data collection standards, and safety procedures.

• Oversee the conduct of large-scale mark-recapture studies for marine finfishes, the collection of recapture data reported by the public through the FWC Tag-Return Hotline, processing of tag rewards, and timely dissemination of data to appropriate researchers.
• Oversee all aspects of data collection, QA/QC, and database management and ensure that high quality samples and data are available in a timely manner for use in analyses, stock assessments, monitoring, and associated research.
• Analyze trends in fishing methods, catch-and-release methods, and associated catch rates, biological characteristics, release conditions, and survival rates for fishes observed in recreational hook-and-line fisheries.
• Conduct complex analyses, develop statistical models, produce standardized indices, and provide other quantitative tools useful to inform stock assessments and provide scientific guidance for fisheries management and outreach on best fishing practices.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to develop and test new methods designed to increase voluntary participation rates, improve efficiency, reduce costs of fishery dependent surveys, and improve the quality and quantity of data and analyses available for use in stock assessments.
• Assist state and regional stock assessment analysts and fishery managers by providing data sets, analyses, and supporting documents as needed. 
• Respond to assistance requests from the public in a timely fashion.  
• Manage large data sets and enhance or implement new quality control check procedures. 
• Represent the state of Florida on regional committees and working groups responsible for collecting, standardizing, improving, and disseminating fishery dependent data.
• Disseminate results of research and analyses at professional meetings, in peer-reviewed publications, and to the public through outreach and communication products.
• Seek funding opportunities and develop grant proposals.
• Supervise at least 15 OPS staff; oversee hiring, recruitment, training and performance of direct reports; assist with the purchase of supplies and equipment necessary for staff to effectively conduct work; and approve purchases, timesheets, reimbursement requests and travel expenses for supervised staff in accordance with all state rules and requirements. 

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and four years of professional experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics; or a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and three years of professional experience as described above; or a doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and one year of professional experience as described above. 

Preferred Selection Criteria:

Candidates with a graduate level degree in fisheries science or closely related field and professional experience in survey design and development, conduct and oversight of fishery observer surveys, at-sea safety procedures and training, database management, and statistical analysis are encouraged to apply and may be given preference. Applicants with a successful history of scientific writing, including grant proposals, reports, and peer-reviewed manuscripts are encouraged to apply. 

Required, Entry-level Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience supervising and coordinating the work of a team of field staff.
• Knowledge of marine fishes, recreational and for-hire fisheries, methods used for long-term fisheries-dependent monitoring, and applications of fishery-dependent data and time-series.
• Knowledge of survey design, random sampling methods, sample weighting, measures of error, analytical methods to evaluate mark-recapture data, modeling techniques for developing standardized catch rates, and methods for estimating fishing mortality.
• Proficient in the use of software (such as SAS, R, SQL) to manipulate large data sets, identify errors and outliers, and conduct complex calculations and statistical analyses. 
• Ability to process and analyze data, synthesize results, and clearly convey methods and results in technical reports, manuscripts, and oral presentations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and effectively supervise others. 

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

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). 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. 

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

Nearest Major Market: Tampa

Apply Now: https://jobs.myflorida.com/