Requisition No: 810571
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: RESEARCH ASSISTANT – 77073176
Position Number: 77073176
Salary: $37,668 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 09/29/2023
VACANCY (CORALS – RESEARCH ASSISTANT)
ANTICIPATED START DATE: OCTOBER 2023
STARTING SALARY: $1,448.81 biweekly + OT; INCLUDES HEALTHCARE BENEFITS
& TUITION WAIVER ASSISTANCE
Position Number: 779073176
Location: This position is located at the Fish & Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) in St. Petersburg, FL. Moving expenses are not provided.
Funding for this position is provided by federal and/or State of FL grants related to FWC Coral Research Program. Funding at the time of advertisement is guaranteed through 12/30/2025. Continued employment is subject to additional funding requests that are pending.
Job Description
50% – Provide direct support to FWC Coral Program studies on shallow-water octocorallians in Florida. Identify octocorals using genetic techniques, sclerite examination, and in situ field assessments. Use existing/archived octocoral samples as well as contemporary data to address ongoing research directives of the FWC Coral Program. This includes analyzing octocoral genetic, recruitment, and demographic data using statistical software such as R, SAS, etc., and developing knowledge of shallow-water octocoral studies and literature in Florida and the Caribbean. Assist in the development of techniques to genotype octocorals and formalize protocols to genetically identify a wide range of octocoral species or genera. Assist with or lead manuscripts and project reports on Coral Program octocoral studies. The duties and responsibilities required for this position will provide an opportunity to develop a thesis project that can lead to an advance degree.
25% – Participate as a team member in long-term reef and benthic monitoring projects, including the Coral Reef Evaluation & Monitoring Project, Disturbance Response Monitoring, and Acroporid monitoring in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, in the Dry Tortugas National Park, and on projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Conduct in situ demographic surveys of selected marine benthic taxa, including scleractinians, octocorals, and sponges. Participate in data collection using underwater photography. Participate in and assist with training exercises to carry out field surveys. Perform data entry and QA/QC. Identify scleractinians, octocorals, sponges, and other selected taxa from photographic images of underwater transects using Point Count software.
25% – Maintain proficiency as an FWC/AAUS scientific diver. Assist in safe operation of research vessels to carry out research activities. Assist in procurement and maintenance of diving, field, laboratory, and safety equipment. Assist in completing administrative tasks for the Coral Program (vehicle logs, purchasing, etc.). Participate in other coral research related activities including but not limited to coral disease response, restoration activities, and other Coral Program or Ecosystem Assessment & Restoration (EAR) research initiatives where field support is required. Participate in public outreach events such as Marine Quest or as directed by the Coral Program manager. Perform other duties as required.
NOTE: This position requires extended travel in the field. Travel often requires 2 week stays in the field and requires working on weekends; workweeks when in the field often exceed 60 hours. Overtime is paid for work over 40 hours in one work week; travel expenses will be reimbursed.
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. Experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
*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. Open-water SCUBA certification.
Preferred Experience
Candidates with a BS in the marine sciences or closely related field and coral reef or benthic ecology research experience are encouraged to apply and may be given preference. Applicants who are currently or previously a scientific diver at an AAUS institution may also be given preference. Applicants with a demonstrated ability using genetic techniques and an interest in octocorals may also be given preference.
Knowledge, Skill(s), and Abilities
Knowledge of: marine biology and/or ecology, systematics of reef organisms – in particular octocorals & scleractinians – and familiarity with marine experimental design and research.
Skill in: the identification of reef organisms, in particular octocorals & scleractinians, the basic use of marine navigation and electronics equipment, seamanship, (demonstrated) organizational and communication skills.
Ability to: complete assigned tasks in a timely manner; work as a team member to accomplish project goals; maintain effective working relationships with collaborative partners; participate in heavy physical exertion while swimming, diving, or carrying out project tasks; lift heavy equipment up to 50 lbs; maintain a valid driver’s license; endure long work hours and extensive periods of time in the field; safely dive under the requirements of the FWC/AAUS dive program; and assist in the safe operation of boats, trailers and related equipment.
Licenses & Certifications
Valid driver’s license and qualifications to meet AAUS diving certifications required. AAUS qualifications include current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen administration certifications. NITROX diving certification or ability to obtain within 6 months post-employment.
Where To Apply
*** Applicants are required to submit an electronic copy of their resume or CV, cover letter, a State of Florida employment application, and names of three professional references by the closing date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applicants are required to apply through People First by the closing date listed. Resumes and supporting documentation may be submitted at the same time of application online.
If you experience technical difficulties during the application process or when attaching documents, call People First staffing at 1-877-562-7287.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, September 29th, 2023
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement. As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.
- Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly
- No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance
- Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year
- 4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrual each biweekly
- This position is eligible for a tuition waiver up to 6 credit hours per semester
For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.
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.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
This position requires the candidate to have successful completion of a level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate prior to hire.
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. 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
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.