OPS Environmental Specialist I - 77907685

State of Florida • Saint Petersburg, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is hiring an Environmental Specialist I for the Center for Spatial Analysis’ Marine Spatial Ecology Research Team in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Center provides GIS expertise, research, products, and support to the Commission and external partners. The team studies how spatial heterogeneity affects ecological processes using a wide range of techniques and projects.

The specialist will support development of spatially explicit databases, ArcGIS Online applications and dashboards, machine-learning applications, ecosystem and species-distribution models, scientific publications, and open-source data pipelines. Initial projects include preparing estuarine habitat datasets and calculating landscape and seascape metrics for fish distribution models; developing web maps and databases of important fish habitats; maintaining two public-facing marine-habitat applications; assisting with horseshoe crab monitoring using drone video; consolidating water-quality data; and preparing geospatial and fisheries data for ecosystem models.

The position involves GIS and data-management work, technical support, outreach, presentations, publication and grant support, and moderate field work. Field activities may include verifying map accuracy, testing applications, supporting mapping and marine research in coastal or offshore areas, and performing strenuous activities in difficult conditions. The position is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, is not eligible for telework, and has office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Employment is contingent on a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.

Requirements

• At least four years of professional experience in a closely related physical or natural sciences program, or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in physical or natural sciences or mathematics.
• Florida driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Familiarity with Florida coastal habitats and fisheries.
• Knowledge of spatial data collection and analysis principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of open-source tools, including R, Python, GitHub, Posit Connect, and related platforms.
• Understanding of GIS theories, concepts, and data management.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, Windows, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability or aptitude to learn website development and design using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Ability to collaborate with scientists, academia, responders, and law enforcement to combine data from different sources and formats into understandable information systems.
• Ability to collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret spatial data.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and courteously with the public and conduct outreach.
• Ability to work independently, plan and organize work assignments, and use problem-solving techniques.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel in and out of state.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions, including inclement weather, rough water, boat-engine exhaust, and shoreline wading, during field work.
• Satisfactory Level 1 background check.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree from an accredited college or university in Geography, GIS, Marine Ecology, Statistics, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Florida’s marine and terrestrial environments.
• Well-developed GitHub page.
• ArcGIS Online portfolio.
• Professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Create, update, and maintain geospatial data using ESRI products.
• Create, update, and maintain ArcGIS Online products, including Survey123, Connect, Dashboards, Experience Builder, and Hub.
• Create, update, and maintain structured data for R, Python, and other open-source tools.
• Create and maintain GIS data metadata.
• Produce maps according to agency cartographic standards.
• Respond to GIS technical-assistance requests.
• Participate in outreach activities as required.
• Support grant proposals, public presentations, and scientific publications.
• Conduct moderate field work to verify map accuracy, test applications, and support event-driven GIS needs.
• Prepare estuarine habitat GIS datasets and calculate landscape and seascape metrics for species-distribution models.
• Work with fisheries researchers to create web maps and databases of important fish habitats in Florida coastal regions.
• Help create, update, and maintain two public-facing Experience Builder applications for marine habitat data.
• Participate in field work and data analysis to monitor horseshoe crab populations using drone video.
• Aggregate water-quality data from multiple providers into an existing database.
• Prepare and format geospatial and fisheries data for ecosystem models.
• Travel in and out of state as needed.

Benefits

• Eligible OPS employees and qualifying applicants may receive comprehensive health coverage with low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions.
• Health premiums of $25 for single coverage or $90 for family coverage biweekly.
• 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