OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77907591

State of Florida • EASTPOINT, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy. Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

Requirements

• 5 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; OR a master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Satisfactory Level 1 background check.
• Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume.
• Information regarding any gaps in employment must be provided.
• Ability to conduct biological research using scientific methods.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques used in fisheries research, including methods for gathering and managing fisheries data.
• Experience using fish sampling equipment (e.g., trawls, seines).
• Experience with computer and related software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Experience with laboratory equipment (e.g., microscopes).
• Ability to identify juvenile and adult fishes and invertebrates collected from Florida’s inshore and offshore environments.
• Ability to safely operate, trailer, and maintain vehicles, small boats, and motors.
• Ability to review, proof, enter, and manage fisheries data following strict QA/QC protocols using various software packages (e.g., Excel, Access, R Studio, SQL).
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in professional and public settings.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public.
• Ability to participate in multidisciplinary fisheries research efforts across all FWRI-FIM field laboratories which may involve overnight travel and/or extended field trips.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions (e.g., inclement weather, rough water, boat engine exhaust, shoreline wading) for long periods of time, including heavy lifting.
• Willingness to work more than 40 hours per week as needed to complete fieldwork.
• Maintain a valid FL driver's license.
• Complete a boater safety course and first aid/CPR training within three months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work in a fisheries program leading fisheries-independent fieldwork using a variety of sampling gears to survey fish populations in estuarine and/or offshore waters.
• Experience using dichotomous keys and either microscopes or video to identify juvenile and adult fishes found in marine and estuarine environments.
• Experience trailering and operating small vessels up to 24ft in length.
• Experience conducting routine maintenance of vehicles, small vessels, trailers and outboard motors used to conduct fisheries work.
• Experience providing mentorship and training to staff in a fisheries program.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a field biologist for a large, dynamic Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program.
• Carry out statistically valid fisheries research surveys in estuarine and offshore waters to evaluate the relative stock abundance, occurrence, diversity, and condition of Florida’s marine and brackish water fish populations.
• Coordinate and conduct inshore and offshore fisheries-independent sampling efforts throughout the Florida Panhandle and in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico using a variety of sampling methodologies including seines, trawls, side-scan sonar, camera pods, acoustics, longlines, and others.
• Participate as a crew member and/or field lead with preparation of inshore and offshore field sampling, data entry, and all associated data QA/QC.
• Assist with maintaining and repairing sampling gear including boats, motors, trailers, nets, protective gear, office equipment, and laboratory equipment as needed.
• Complete fish and invertebrate identifications in both field and lab settings, following strict QA/QC protocols using a microscope and dichotomous keys.
• Perform basic routine summaries of fisheries data used in preparing technical and scientific reports, oral presentations, and/or manuscripts as assigned.
• Perform and participate in public outreach efforts as appropriate.
• Travel occasionally to conduct both inshore and offshore field work, which may involve spending numerous consecutive days at sea every quarter or consecutive overnight hotel lodging for inshore work.
• Perform strenuous physical activities in sometimes arduous weather conditions aboard inshore/offshore research vessels for long periods of time, including heavy lifting.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage with low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions.
• Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly
• Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance
• OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan
• On the Job Trainings
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level