ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072726 - SAINT PETERSBURG - 33701

Requisition No: 483381
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072726
Position Number: 77072726
Salary: $53,045 Annually
Posting Closing Date: 10/20/2021
Open Competitive Opportunity
This is a full-time Career Service position with benefits.
FWC - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)
Section/Subsection: Information Science and Management/ Center for Spatial Analysis

The FWC is seeking an individual with a strong research and leadership background to fill an Associate Research Scientist position in the Center for Spatial Analysis, located in St. Petersburg, FL. This position serves as the principal investigator for spatially explicit modeling, monitoring, and mapping projects that support the conservation and management of Florida's marine environment. This position will initiate projects that align with the individual's expertise and FWC priorities and will immediately manage a team of marine ecologists working on several diverse research projects. Active staff projects within the management responsibilities of this position include summarizing spatio-temporal trends in water quality throughout South Florida from remote sensing and in situ data sources; creating a repeatable methodology for monitoring seagrass scarring across management zones from aerial imagery; and developing a coral genetics database and reporting system to support coral restoration activities.

Duties:
* Obtain and manage competitive grants as a principal investigator that inform the spatial distribution and interactions of marine organisms relative to habitat use, management zones, environmental conditions, human activities, and restoration activities.
* Review and coordinate activities with regional partners that involve marine benthic habitat characterization, mapping, habitat alteration, and restoration activities. Review projects, proposals, and potential management decisions that may impact marine resources when Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing products, acoustics, and emerging technologies are used.
* Utilize GIS, remote sensing, acoustics, emerging technologies, and the principles of landscape and marine ecology to support FWC priorities and strategic initiatives. Articulate related marine resource management and research priorities with regional partners.
* Conduct field work to validate model predictions, quantify map accuracy, and to maintain ocean observing assets. Promote emerging technologies, such as machine learning pipelines, interactive dashboards, and automated unmanned vehicles, to streamline field activities.
* Prepare technical and scientific reports, manuscripts, and presentations on results from applied research.
* Develop and monitor annual working budgets and ensure that expenditures do not exceed spending authority.
* Supervise assigned personnel in a coaching and mentoring manner to maintain a team-orientated approach to section goals. Duties include but are not limited to: recruitment, training, planning, and directing work; review of employee performance; and ensuring compliance with FWRI rules, policies, and procedures.
* Assist other FWRI research projects as needed and perform special assignments on coastal and marine matters as requested. Promote and participate in public outreach efforts, as appropriate.

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 and four years of professional experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics relevant to advertised duties.
* Or a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and three years of professional experience relevant to advertised duties.
* Or a doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and one year of professional experience relevant to advertised duties.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Preference may be given to candidates who possess a master's degree in one of the life, natural or quantitative sciences and three years of professional experience in marine research; or a doctorate in one of the life, natural or quantitative sciences and one year of professional experience in marine research. Master's degree and doctoral candidates graduating in December 2021 may be considered.
* Applicants with a Ph.D. and a strong background in spatial analyses may be given preference.
* Applicants with at least two (2) peer-reviewed publications, of which at least one (1) is as lead author, may be given preference.
* Applicants with demonstrable experience in Open Science practices may be given preference.
* Applicants who can code in various languages (e.g., R, SQL, SAS, Python, .NET, etc.) may be given preference.
* Applicants with a proven record in applying for and obtaining grant funding may be given preference.

NOTE:
* Candidates selected for interviews may be expected to present a seminar of their relevant research and experiences. Travel expenses to the interview are the candidate's responsibility. Remote presentations can be accommodated.
* Candidates are encouraged to submit an example of data science/analysis code with their initial application materials.
* Funding for this position is provided by a recurring federal grant. Continued employment is subject to annual renewals.

Required Entry-Level Knowledge, Skill(s), and Abilities:

Knowledge of:
* Landscape ecology, seascape ecology, marine ecology, oceanography, geography, and marine spatial planning.
* Sampling designs and methods used for characterizing benthic habitat, summarizing spatio-temporal trends, and quantifying predictive accuracy.
* Principles of computer coding techniques and relational databases.
* Advanced functions within ArcGIS and ESRI products.

Ability to:
* Perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions (e.g., inclement weather, rough water, boat engine exhaust, shoreline wading) while conducting field work.
* Travel in and out of state.

Skill to:
* Collect and summarize complex spatial data, from various relational databases and outside sources.
* Use various software packages to write code to manipulate or analyze data.
* Develop and design marine research studies.
* Use state-issued computer and associated software (word processing, spreadsheet, database and statistical).
* Prepare manuscripts and technical reports.
* Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
* Maintain a valid Florida driver's license.
* Complete small boat safety course and AAUS diving certification if requested.

Where 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 [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.
* If you experience technical difficulties during the application process or when attaching documents, call People First staffing at 1-877-562-7287. If unable to attach supporting documents to your application, they may be faxed to the People First Service Center at 1-888-403-2110. Be sure to include the Requisition number for the position to which you are applying on each page of your faxed documents.
* If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
* 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.

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 [http://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/97612/566545]. 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 [http://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/97612/566545]. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
Nearest Major Market: Tampa