FWC-DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT-OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - POS 77901980

Requisition No: 428304

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FWC-DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT-OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - POS #77901980

Position Number: 77901980

Salary: $17.00 - $26.00

Posting Closing Date: 08/15/2021

OCCUPATION PROFILE
JOB FAMILY: LIFE, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP: LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE
OCCUPATION: FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS

DESCRIPTION:

FWC-Division of Marine Fisheries Management

Position number: 77901980
Title: OPS F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Supervisor: Keith Mille
Salary: $17 - $26 per hour, depending on experience, up to 40 hours per week with schedule variations based on season and workload; some overtime required; and partial benefits.
Minimum qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences. Major in marine sciences preferred. SCUBA certification required.
Posting closing date: 8/15/2021

This position is funded by a 4-year grant. Continued employment is subject to annual renewals.

In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First and completing the qualifying questions, applicants are required to submit a current résumé and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and interest in the position.

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

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

This position is with FWC's Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Artificial Reefs Sub-section. The selected candidate will work closely with other Division Biological Scientists and a Biological Administrator to manage grants and contracts for artificial reef construction and monitoring in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico primarily offshore northwest Florida (Pensacola through Aucilla), including collecting, compiling, analyzing and interpreting physical and biological data, implementing assessments of artificial reef habitats and preparing technical reports. The candidate will also conduct human use monitoring surveys, in-situ visual fish census, and document contract compliance and performance using SCUBA and underwater photography/videography; assist in mobilizing and demobilizing for all field operations; assist with statistical analyses of project data and the production of summary tables and graphics; and assist in report preparation, including figures, tables and maps. The person selected for this position will be required to regularly interact with individuals from within and outside the agency, as well as the general public.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with managing artificial reef construction and monitoring contracts with local coastal governments.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other agency managers, state and federal regulatory staff, local coastal government managers, media, public and affected artificial reef stakeholders.
• Serve on the Division of Marine Fisheries Management Dive Team to assess and develop reports on the performance/compliance of previously deployed artificial reef projects, and assist with other Division dive activities as needed.
• Assist with maintaining accuracy of the FWC artificial reef deployment database.
• Operate/maintain project sampling platforms including vehicles, boats, motors and trailers.
• Operate/maintain side scan sonar, magnetometer, ROV, acoustic receivers and other mapping and remote sensing equipment.
• Process and/or approve vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered in a timely and accurate manner.
• Adhere to the provisions and requirements for Section 215.422.F.S., related State Comptroller's rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.
• Develop visual presentations and speak at public meetings and workshops when required.
• Courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems and matters related to the Commission or fish and wildlife conservation. Seek to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work with the general public, public officials, regulatory agencies and local governments and to conduct communications in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Knowledge of personal computers and related software (spreadsheet, database, data analysis, digital photo/video processing, and spatial mapping programs).
• Skilled in SCUBA diving (advanced open water certification or higher preferred) and ability to obtain AAUS scientific diving certification through the Commission's certification process to a 130' depth rating.
• Ability to work effectively in a team situation with one or more individuals in a strenuous field situation over a multi-day period and demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in both a close-quarters field working environment and an office environment.
• Ability to operate and trailer vessels up to 32' in length.
• Ability to successfully work independently on projects that involve coordination, monitoring, problem solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, graphically, and in writing including production of formal technical and annual reports.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads.
• Ability to think critically and develop logical responses to problems.
• Ability to identify Florida coastal marine fishes and major reef associated invertebrate taxa.
• Ability to endure long work hours and extensive periods of time in the field.
• Must be able to perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions (e.g. inclement weather, rough water), lift heavy equipment up to 50 lbs., and participate in heavy physical exertion while swimming or diving.
• Must be willing and able to travel and work some overtime hours including occasional weekends, and weeknights.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license
• Must possess open water SCUBA certification from a nationally recognized agency. NITROX diving certification and current CPR and First Aid certifications required within the probationary period.

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 (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office to determine eligibility.)
• 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.

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.