Ops Research Associate - FWC - 77907405

Requisition No: 603485

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - FWC - 77907405

Position Number: 77907405

Salary: $21.00-$23.00 hourly

Posting Closing Date: 04/11/2022

Position description: Keys Fisheries Research, Lobster Program

This position is full-time for at least one year, with the potential for continuation given grant funding. The main responsibilities of this position will include wet lab management and field work needed to support ongoing research. This includes lobster fishery independent and dependent monitoring in the Florida Keys, wet lab maintenance, rigorous field work in near and offshore waters, data entry, and the ability to foster and maintain working relationships with industry professionals. Must be able to work autonomously and maintain excellent communication with supervisor.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Conducting fisheries field sampling year-round in a variety of adverse conditions
• Field work is typically 75% top side (pulling lobster traps, checking juvenile lobster collectors etc.) and 25% scientific diving (lobster collection, habitat and lobster surveys etc.)
• Trailering and running boats up to 25ft
  
• Processing field samples in the laboratory after collection
• Including working up lobsters for a variety of lobster health parameters (i.e., measuring, drawing blood, dissecting, etc.), maintaining camera and lab equipment, etc.
  
• Wet Lab management of a flow-through seawater system
• Cleaning tanks
• Pump, filter, intake maintenance
• Hobo use for temperature monitoring
• Daily animal husbandry (including 1 weekend per month)
• Other laboratory task associated with ongoing research projects
  
• Running laboratory experiments (feeding and growth trials, delayed mortality predictors/RAMP, lobster aging via stomach ossicles, sample prep for stable isotopes, lipid extraction etc.)
• Occasional overnight work to conduct plankton tows or night dives
• Maintaining and repairing sampling gear and research equipment used in routine fisheries monitoring
• Entering data into a computer and proof and correct data to ensure accurate entry
• Analyzing data from ongoing studies
• Participating in preparing technical and scientific reports and/or manuscripts
• Maintaining scientific collection records
• Maintaining good relations with co-workers and participating contracted fishermen
• Participating in public outreach efforts, as appropriate

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences
• Open-Water Diving Certification
• Ability to perform strenuous field duties in adverse conditions, travel as necessary to conduct field sampling, collect and analyze biological and/or fisheries data, prepare technical reports and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Maintain a valid drivers license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree is preferred but not required; experience or willingness to learn is essential, as is a desire to contribute to the science - with the potential to develop and run their own research projects that align with the FWC mission
• Experience working with crustaceans or benthic invertebrates
• Boat operation and trailering experience
• AAUS Scientific Diver
• Animal husbandry/wet lab experience

Benefits:

• Salary $21/hr
• 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

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: Key West