OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - F - 77900837

Requisition No: 426861

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - F - 77900837

Position Number: 77900837

Salary: $15/hour

Posting Closing Date: 08/04/2021

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Section: Marine Fisheries Research-Fisheries Dependent Monitoring

NOTE: Funding for this position is provided by a recurring federal grant. Continued employment is subject to annual renewals.

Job Description:

Conduct directed research and monitoring of recreational fisheries in southwest Florida by assisting with new and ongoing marine recreational fishing surveys. Duties will include but are not limited to: conducting dockside interviews with recreational anglers to gather data on catch rates, effort, gear and area fished; sampling fish to collect accurate length and weight measurements and biological samples for age, growth and reproduction; processing field and laboratory samples following standardized protocols; conducting data entry using personal computers and database software; reviewing data for quality assurance; and participation in public outreach efforts as appropriate. Perform other duties related to program and facility functions as requested by section supervisor.

The position requires a flexible work schedule that will often require working weekends and holidays, for long durations (10 or more hours), early in the morning and late at night. The position requires direct contact with the public and representatives of the fishing industry daily, and the qualified applicant will always be expected to represent the Agency in a courteous and professional manner. The qualified applicant will be expected to work as part of a team and must also be able to work independently without supervision. The qualified applicant will be based at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Field Lab in Port Charlotte, FL. The position requires frequent day-time travel throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte Counties. To learn more about the project we are hiring for, visit:

https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fishstats/recreational-fisheries/landings/ and https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/state-reef-fish-survey/

This is an OPS (Other Personal Service) position. It offers no benefits or moving expenses. Occasional overtime hours may occur. Hours worked over 40 per week, Friday to Thursday, are considered overtime and are paid @ 1.5 times the regular wage.)

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.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Knowledge of fish morphology, identification of marine fishes to species, statistical survey sampling methods and data collection. Ability to communicate to the public effectively with tact and diplomacy; to gather, maintain, and analyze data; maintain field sampling equipment; establish and maintain effective work relationships; operate a computer and software such as spreadsheets and word processing; think logically and apply problem-solving techniques; communicate effectively verbally and in writing, work under adverse conditions from land and at sea, maintain a valid driver's license, work long hours early in the morning and late at night, and work 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.

Preferred Experience:

Preference may be given to individuals demonstrating direct knowledge of fisheries, experience identifying finfish to species, and experience working in marine fisheries monitoring programs.

To Apply:

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 in People First, but do not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida Employment Application Form.

If you experience technical difficulties during the application process or when attaching documents, call People First staffing at 1-877-562-7287.

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.