Ops Biological Scientist I - F - 77901906

Requisition No: 486772 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - F - 77901906 Position Number: 77901906 Salary: $18-$19 per hour Posting Closing Date: 01/15/2022 Funding for this position is provided by a recurring grant and continued employment is subject to annual renewals. This is an OPS (Other Personal Service) position. We cannot pay moving expenses. Occasional overtime hours may be required. Hours worked over 40 per week, Friday to Thursday, are considered overtime and are paid at 1.5 times the regular wage. Description: Conduct directed research and monitoring of recreational fisheries throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, Martin and St. Lucie Counties 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 dockside 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 successful candidate will be required to work a flexible schedule that will often require working weekends and holidays, for long durations (10 or more hours), early in the morning and late at night. Direct contact with the public and representatives of the fishing industry on a daily basis is required, and the selected applicant will be expected to represent the Commission in a courteous and professional manner at all times. The selected applicant will be expected to work as part of a team and must also be able to work independently without direct supervision. The selected applicant will be primarily home-based, and will also have access to facilities at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute field station in Tequesta, FL. Frequent day-time travel throughout Dade, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Palm Beach Counties is required as well as travel to other regions of Florida, as needed. To learn more about the projects we are hiring for, visit: http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fishstats/recreational-fisheries/landings/ and https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/fishstats/srfs/program/. Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences. Preference may be given to candidates demonstrating direct knowledge of fisheries, experience identifying finfish to species, or relevant experience working in marine fisheries monitoring programs. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: fish morphology and 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, maintain a valid driver's license, work long hours early in the morning and late at night, and work weekends and holidays as needed. 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 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. Nearest Major Market: Palm Beach Nearest Secondary Market: Miami

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