Requisition No: 812695
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist I – FWC – 77907347
Position Number: 77907347
Salary: $20/Hour
Posting Closing Date: 10/20/2023
The State of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking someone to assist with coordinating Florida’s nesting beach survey programs (Statewide Nesting Beach Survey Program, Index Nesting Beach Survey Program, and the Nest Productivity Assessment) and Florida’s Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN). The successful candidate will help coordinate FWRI’s nesting beach survey programs; conduct site visits to ensure methodologies are appropriate and to provide any needed guidance; assist nesting beach survey groups with the FWRI nesting app and with data entry as needed; assist with FWRI research projects which may include daytime or nighttime field work, and the collection, preparation, and transport of various samples from the nesting beaches; and assist with ground-truthing exercises and night research projects as needed. The successful candidate will also respond or coordinate the response to reports of stranded sea turtles, document the incidents as needed, and enter and update sea turtle stranding data; transport sick or injured sea turtles to rehabilitation facilities and assist with releases of rehabilitated sea turtles; transport dead turtles to necropsy and assist with necropsies; and provide training and guidance for Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network participants and interact with them to maintain effective communication. The successful candidate will also participate in public outreach efforts and perform other work as needed. This position requires the incumbent to work one weekend day and some evenings.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- sea turtle biology and conservation, especially pertaining to sea turtles in Florida
- terminology and methodology used when conducting sea turtle nesting beach surveys and hatching success evaluations
- terminology and methodology used when collecting data on stranded sea turtles
Skills to include:
- proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Software and web-based databases
- proficiency in mapping and interpreting spatial data
Ability to:
- communicate effectively and positively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of people such as biological and conservation professionals, agency personnel, law enforcement personnel, private citizens, and media representatives
- establish and maintain effective working relationships and develop long-term partnerships with sea turtle monitoring cooperators in Florida
- plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments, to multi-task, and to work independently
- perform field work under various, sometimes adverse field conditions, including some heavy (up to 50 lbs.) lifting, and to organize and maintain field notes
- drive a large pick-up truck, pull trailers, operate ATVs and UTVs, and maintain a valid driver’s license
- work evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor’s degree* from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences.
*4 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program can substitute for the required bachelor’s degree; additional years of experience as described above are also required.
This position requires the candidate to have successful completion of a Level 1 Background Check prior to hiring at no cost to the candidate.
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 Staffing 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.