OPS Assistant Research Scientist – 77907553

Requisition No: 812692

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Assistant Research Scientist – 77907553

Position Number: 77907553

Salary: $24.50/Hour

Posting Closing Date: 10/27/2023

The State of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) seeks an Assistant Research Scientist with considerable sea turtle nesting survey experience to join the Florida sea turtle nesting survey program. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting, developing, and conducting research on the nesting biology and ecology of Florida sea turtles and for advising sea turtle conservation and management activities. He/She/They will advance the objectives of the nesting survey programs and assist with site visits and training of Florida marine turtle permit holders. This person may also serve as a principal investigator for or assist with studies of sea turtles that may include life history, ecology, reproductive biology, migrations, stock assessments and population biology. This person will assist, or lead analyses of data sets derived from multiple interdisciplinary sources and publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals. This person will assist or prepare grant proposals and reports and will be involved with all aspects of grant-related work including budgetary oversight and fulfillment of reporting requirements. This person will administer budgets, supervise daily activities of subordinate seasonal and temporary staff and interns as needed. Supervisory duties may include but may not be limited to: recruitment, training, planning and directing work, reviewing performance with employee/intern, and ensuring compliance with Commission and FWRI rules, policies and procedures. This person will regularly communicate with FWC’s marine turtle management group (ISM) and help coordinate overlapping activities of FWRI and ISM on sea turtle nesting beaches. This person will serve on inter-divisional and inter-agency teams on sea turtle-related conservation issues and represent the Section, Institute, and Department at public and professional meetings. He/She/They will promote and participate in public outreach efforts. Some overnight travel is required, and travel may increase during nesting season based on program needs. The preferred position location is central east Florida or southeast Florida, although some flexibility in headquarter position is possible.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• sea turtle biology, ecology, and conservation with emphasis on nesting ecology, population ecology and habitat use
• scientific terminology, principles and techniques including experimental design, hypothesis testing, sampling, and statistics associated with biological research.

Skills to include:

• strong quantitative skills
• strong attention to detail and time management skills
• use of field equipment and scientific laboratory equipment.

Ability to:

• design research studies, conduct field research, and collect data; use relational database management systems to organize and analyze research data; perform quantitative analysis of data; utilize problem-solving techniques; make taxonomic identifications
• work both independently and on collaborative projects; plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; determine work priorities; and elicit cooperation as necessary to achieve objectives and ensure proper and timely completion of assignments
• use computer software programs for database, statistical, graphical, and word-processing applications; review technical literature and prepare written scientific reports, prepare or assist with preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and popular articles; assist or prepare grant proposals for project funding; and organize and track project budgets
• communicate clearly both verbally and in writing; communicate effectively with team members to ensure research project success (e.g., budget, technical, data management colleagues); and communicate clearly the results and findings of research to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
• supervise employees and volunteers; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, colleagues, and volunteers; and understand and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the conduct of a Commission employee
• perform field work (sometimes in extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, etc.) and occasionally work extended hours (sometimes on weekends) and travel for multiple days
• drive an ATV/4WD;and maintain a valid driver’s license

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 three 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 two 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.
*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.

PREFERRED SELETION CRITERIA
Candidates with a PhD or a Master’s degree in marine science, ecology, conservation biology or a closely related field, with extensive sea turtle nesting survey experience, with experience conducting research on sea turtles, especially pertaining to reproductive biology or nesting ecology or to habitat use and needs, and who have published this work in a peer-reviewed scientific journal as a first author are encouraged to apply and may be given preference. Applicants with experience training, organizing, or leading wildlife survey teams may be given preference. Applicants with experience curating large datasets, with strong quantitative skills, programming (R, SQL, or Python) skills and geographic information system (GIS) skills may be given preference. Applicants with experience obtaining and managing grants or conducting wildlife conservation and management activities, especially pertaining to sea turtles, may also be given preference.

TO APPLY

All applicants must submit an electronic application through People First (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/). In addition, applicants are required to submit an electronic copy of their resume or CV, cover letter, and names of three professional references by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

This position requires the candidate to have successful completion of a Level 1 Background Check prior to hire 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 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.