Requisition No: 810328
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist I – 77990922
Position Number: 77990922
Salary: $20.00/hour
Posting Closing Date: 09/04/2023
Description of Job Duties:
This position will assist in the coordination of salvage and recovery efforts of marine mammal carcasses for the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) East Central Field Laboratory. The incumbent will serve as member of FWC’s manatee necropsy team conducting field and laboratory necropsies on manatee and other marine mammal carcasses, record observations and complete associated necropsy reports. This position will recover marine mammal carcasses for necropsy from the East Central region (coastal and inland waterways of southern Volusia County through Indian River County as well as the inland counties of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake) of Florida and assist in manatee rescue and transport operations in the East Central region as well as assist with manatee rescue and capture operations away from designated area as needed. This position will be responsible for preparation and labeling of sample containers, carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments. This position will be responsible for managing and preforming basically monthly maintenance for the East Central region’s field and lab equipment including trucks, trailers, vessels and other field gear. This position will be responsible for assisting with other East Central regions projects such as photo identification, temperature probe deployment and retrieval, assisting with training volunteers and interns, participate in outreach events as needed as well purchasing needs and other tasks as assigned by supervisor. This position will assist with aerial surveys for manatees as needed. This position will have an assigned work schedule of Sunday to Thursday (8:00 am-5:00 pm) and will be asked to respond to marine mammal emergencies and carcasses outside of normal work schedule as needed or assigned. This position will serve in a rotation with other East Central staff members for the purpose of covering the East Central Region during state holidays.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan and state and federal legislation protecting manatees
- Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis
- Knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques
- Knowledge of digital SLR cameras, filters, and lenses
- Knowledge of marine mammal capture, handling, and transport techniques
- Able to trailer flatbeds/utility trailers and watercraft vessels
- Able to safely operate watercraft vessels 26′ in length and smaller
- Be capable of daily manual labor requiring handling of heavy and sharp objects and working under unpleasant conditions
- Must be physically fit, able to vertically lift at least 75 lbs, and be able to swim sufficiently to save oneself
- Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions
- Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Be comfortable speaking to the public
- Possess or be able to obtain and maintain a Florida driver’s license within a month of employment
- Be capable of passing a background check before employment
Minimum Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences. Experience with dissection, pathology, or animal necropsies and data management.
Preferred Experience:
Applicants having live and dead marine mammal stranding/necropsy experience may be given preference.
Applicants having photo-id collection experience in the field may be given preference.
Applicants with experience working alongside unpaid volunteers and interns may be given preference.
Applicants with vehicle, trailer and/or vessel maintenance may be given preference.
Application Process:
Applicants are required to submit a complete, up-to-date, State of Florida Employment Application Form electronically in People First (http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com) by the closing date listed. Resumes and supporting documentation may be submitted at the same time you are applying online, faxed, or mailed to People First, but do not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida Employment Application Form.
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 hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. If a conditional offer of employment is made, you will be required to provide identification and proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States for the hiring authority to which application is made.
This position requires the candidate to have successful completion of a level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate prior to hire.
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 – optional (must meet eligibility requirements)
- Deferred Compensation – voluntary
- Employee Assistance Program – voluntary
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.