OPS Biological Scientist I - 77907328

State of Florida • Saint Petersburg, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI), Harmful Algal Blooms group, is hiring a full-time Other Personnel Service (OPS) Biological Scientist I in St. Petersburg, Florida. The laboratory-based position supports statewide harmful algal bloom research and monitoring through molecular biology, with opportunities for fieldwork. Pay is $18.50 per hour. The position is not eligible for telework.

The employee will support ongoing monitoring and research activities, including laboratory and field sample preparation and analysis, data management and quality assurance, project data synthesis, training, and HAB outreach. Employment is contingent on a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. Applicants must attach a cover letter and resume to their PeopleFirst application.

Requirements

• Four years of professional experience in a closely related biological or laboratory program, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological sciences in substitution for the experience requirement.
• Working knowledge of standard laboratory equipment and practices, including safety protocols.
• Knowledge of techniques and terminology for sterile workstations, DNA extraction, microscopy-based phytoplankton enumeration, fluorometry of laboratory cultures, water sampling and filtering, and nucleic acid extraction from field samples.
• Knowledge of MS Office applications and statistical or data-analysis software.
• Ability to use aseptic or sterile techniques and extract nucleic acids from field and cultured samples.
• Ability to construct spreadsheets and data visualizations and to record, manage, quality-control, and analyze data.
• Ability to plan tasks and contribute to research, event response, and monitoring; learn and refine instrument operations and analyses; and work efficiently independently and as part of a team in laboratory and field settings.
• Ability to maintain detailed laboratory and field notes, work closely with a supervisor and provide regular updates, and establish tractable practices and timelines for designated projects.
• Satisfactory Level 1 background check.
• A cover letter and resume must be attached to the PeopleFirst application; incomplete applications will not be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in molecular biology or genetics.
• Experience working in a molecular biology or genetics laboratory.
• Expertise with phytoplankton and harmful algae.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean and sterile laboratory environment.
• Extract nucleic acids from field or cultured samples and quantify extracted DNA.
• Analyze experimental samples, including microscopy-based cell counts as needed.
• Support development of fluorometric assays for experimental cultures and field instruments.
• Collect, filter, prepare, and analyze seawater in the laboratory or field as needed.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notes and organize samples and sample-processing logs.
• Enter and maintain data, ensure data entry and maintenance by others, process data, and establish or follow QA/QC guidelines.
• Communicate consistently and in a timely manner with the supervisor.
• Synthesize project-specific data sets for presentations, reports, and publications.
• Participate in required and optional training related to job duties and responsibilities.
• Contribute to HAB outreach activities, such as Marine Quest.
• Participate in HAB monitoring and event response activities as needed.
• Learn, validate, implement, and document laboratory and field techniques; follow and contribute to standard operating protocols.
• Troubleshoot and maintain laboratory quality-control standards, analyze and synthesize data, and contribute to final products and publications.

Benefits

• Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may have access to comprehensive health coverage, with stated biweekly premiums of $25 for single coverage and $90 for family coverage.
• Low-cost $25,000 life insurance.
• OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan.
• On-the-job training.
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level