OPS RESEARCH ASSISTANT - 42902588

State of Florida • Indian River Estates, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an Other Personal Services (OPS) Research Assistant position within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Marketing. The role is responsible for gathering and distributing market information for the state of Florida concerning shipments, supplies, prices, market conditions, distribution, and other relevant marketing data for livestock at two USDA-approved livestock markets. Duties may include identifying and grading livestock, understanding the cattle sales process and auctioneers, utilizing technology, working independently with minimal supervision, building relationships within the cattle industry, collecting and analyzing cattle sales data, preparing market reports, ensuring USDA compliance for reporting, and maintaining skills through training.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and six (6) years of professional or nonprofessional experience in statistics, research, analysis, or program evaluation; OR A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of professional experience in statistics, research, analysis, or program evaluation; OR A master’s degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience; OR A juris doctorate or doctorate (8 years) from an accredited college or university can substitute for the required experience.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Basic knowledge of cattle industry, cattle sales, identify and grade cattle
• Skill in data collection and reporting (in writing and electronic)
• Skill in quality assurance editing
• Communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Computer skills (Outlook and Microsoft Suite)
• Ability to climb stairs and sit for long periods of time
• Ability to manage time effectively

Responsibilities

• Identifies and grades livestock.
• Understands the cattle sales process and auctioneers.
• Uses technology tools in daily work.
• Performs tasks independently with limited supervision.
• Develops and maintains good working relationships with the cattle industry.
• Carries out assigned duties in the collection and analysis of cattle sales data.
• Prepares market reports for daily, weekly, and monthly dissemination.
• Ensures the livestock market manager is contacted prior to the sale if the sale will not be reported to the USDA.
• Ensures that all forms, formats, and systems used to report to USDA are USDA approved.
• Maintains skill level by participating in training as needed.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements)
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b)
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED