Requisition No: 800035
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS Laboratory Technician – 77907548
Position Number: 77907548
Salary: $18 per hour
Posting Closing Date: 05/31/2023
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)
Section: Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (EAR)
Position Number: 77907548
Position Title: OPS Laboratory Technician
Supervisor: Dr. Becky Hardman
Work Location: Wildlife Research Laboratory, Gainesville, FL
Job Description:
The Wildlife Health group in the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking a highly organized Wildlife Health laboratory technician to assist with the day-to-day operation of the wildlife necropsy laboratory. Duties are variable but support FWRI wildlife health research and disease surveillance and response in various species, including birds, white-tailed deer, turtles, and carnivores. Job duties include:
- Assisting with animal carcass collection and transport between field and laboratory.
- Assisting with laboratory upkeep and organization.
- Maintaining specimen inventories (fixed and frozen tissues).
- Assist with sample cataloging and sample organization, especially of large archives/sample sets.
- Receive and re-archive unused samples returned from diagnostic labs.
- Keep detailed records of incoming and outgoing samples/carcasses.
- Shipping specimens to diagnostic laboratories following applicable shipping rules and regulations.
- Maintaining medical records and sample records.
- Answering the Wildlife Health Hotline and FWC Reporter App submissions as needed and providing high-quality customer service by responding to information requests and thoroughly documenting details of wildlife morbidity/mortality reports from the public, FWC staff, and other stakeholders.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities Required
The entry-level knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform job duties are:
Knowledge of
- Basic knowledge of wildlife ecology, animal health/disease concepts
- Methods of relevant field and laboratory data collection
- General procedures, techniques and equipment used in biological laboratory testing and analysis.
Skills in
- Use of personal computers, spreadsheets, and word processing software, particularly Microsoft Office products;
- Basic laboratory skills, including organization and cataloging of laboratory materials and diagnostic specimens
- Proper handling of chemicals; biosafety; adherence to protocols; data collection;
- Shipping of specimens per state/federal regulations
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
Ability to
- Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
- Perform detailed work accurately
- Lift up to 40 lbs.
- Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments with others
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing in order to provide excellent customer service to stakeholders
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships;
- Maintain a valid driver’s license
- Work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
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.
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.