OPS Research Staff
Job #77900922
Department: Marine Mammal Research
Location: St. Petersburg, FL (Pinellas County)
Rate of Pay: $10.00/hr (40 hrs/wk) including some weekends and occasional holidays; no benefits provided
Close Date: Open until filled
Contact: Katherine Brill
Position Description:
Serve as member of FWC’s manatee necropsy, carcass salvage, and rescue team. Conduct necropsies at the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory or in the field on manatees and other marine mammal carcasses, record observations, and complete associated necropsy reports. Responsible for preparation and labeling of sample containers, carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments. Recover marine mammal carcasses for necropsy from Florida’s Northwest region (coastal and inland waterways of Manatee County to Escambia County). Process skeletal collection requests according to FWC and USFWS guidelines; prepare skeletal remains for curating and shipping and process federal, state, and international permits for tracking skeletal collections and information requests. Maintain inventories of tissues and tissue requests. Manage associated database of inventories including metadata. Responsible for vessel maintenance and associated boater safety reports. Assist with processing and labeling of manatee necropsy slides and digital images and managing the archiving of digital images. Serve with other MMPL staff members in the rotating, on-call duty (that includes weekends and occasional holidays) for the purpose of responding to marine mammal emergencies and carcasses.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Knowledge of the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan and state and federal legislation protecting manatees
· Knowledge of methods of data collection and principles and techniques of research and analysis
· Knowledge of marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques
· Knowledge of SLR digital cameras, filters, and lenses
· Experience creating and managing databases, spreadsheets, and word processing using Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word
· Able to trailer flatbeds and watercraft vessels
· Able to safely operate watercraft vessels 26’ in length and smaller
· Be capable of daily manual labor requiring handling of heavy and sharp objects and working under unpleasant conditions
· Must be physically fit, able to lift at least 75 lbs, and be able to swim sufficiently to save oneself
· Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions
· Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships
· Be comfortable speaking to the public
· Possess or be able to obtain a Florida driver’s license within a month of employment
Minimum Requirements:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences or one year of professional biological experience in a field or lab research program. Experience with dissection, pathology, or animal necropsies.
TO APPLY: Please reply to this posting with a cover letter, resume, and references or submit a completed State of Florida Employment Application to the contact listed below. An application can be printed from https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com.
Katherine Brill
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory
3700 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727)893-2904
Fax: (727)893-2907