OPS F&W BIO SCIENTIST II - 77907105

Requisition No: 422061

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F&W BIO SCIENTIST II - 77907105

Position Number: 77907105

Salary: $17/hour plus overtime

Posting Closing Date: 07/30/2021

Working Title: Seasonal OPS Fish & Wildlife BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II
Salary: $17.00/hour plus overtime
City: GAINESVILLE
Facility: LOVETT E. WILLIAMS JR. WILDLIFE RESEARCH LAB
Expected dates of employment: August 2021 - December 2021

JOB DESCRIPTIONOne full-time (40 hrs/week) seasonal OPS research technician position is available in the Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration section of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), a division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The position is based at the Lovett E. Williams, Jr. Wildlife Research Laboratory in Gainesville, FL, but will entail extensive travel to field sites throughout Florida, including overnights. The OPS research technician will be responsible for field data collection, data management, and associated research implementation tasks in three primary project areas: 1) monitoring plant community change in isolated wetlands that are being restored for endangered reticulated and frosted flatwoods salamanders ( Ambystoma bishop and A. cingulatum ); 2) monitoring the effects of hardwood reduction treatments on understory plant communities in upland longleaf pine sandhills and associated ephemeral wetlands; and 3) Collecting plant and soil data in wetlands throughout the state for the EPA National Wetland Condition Assessment, through a subcontract with the University of Florida. Specific types of data collected will include plant species composition, vegetation structural parameters, hemispherical photos, and soil samples. Assistance with other research and monitoring projects may be required occasionally.

**Applicants must be available for overnight travel during the normal work week for the duration of the appointment (typically 4 days/3 nights, Monday - Thursday), for field work on remote sites. Transportation will be provided and lodging and meals will be reimbursed for overnight trips. Must be willing to conduct physically demanding field work under adverse conditions (e.g. heat, biting insects, dense vegetation). Must maintain a valid driver's license, and following proper training, operate any other vehicles or vessels necessary to accomplish field work (e.g. ATVs, UTVs, and boats as appropriate).**

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES At least one college-level course in plant taxonomy or plant identification; basic scientific data collection skills; knowledge of Florida ecosystems and native plant communities; experience with ecological field research methods; and experience with data collection/data management using Excel, Google Sheets, and R. Ability to operate independently and utilize problem-solving techniques in the field, laboratory, and office; and communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Must be available for extensive fieldwork with overnight travel, including up to 4 day/3 night trips during the work week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSA 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSAt least one college-level course in plant taxonomy or plant identification; professional experience with plant ecology research; knowledge of Florida ecosystems and native plant communities; experience with ecological field research methods; and experience with data collection/data management using Excel, Google Sheets, R, and ArcGIS.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) 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 (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.