Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist II

Position #: 77903039

Section: Wildlife Research

Subsection: Marine Mammals

Location: This position is home-based; however, the residence must be in the Citrus County area in Florida due to field work.

Salary: $20.00 per hour

Closing Date: March 1, 2024

Job Description:

This position provides technical support for the manatee photo-identification project. The successful candidate will be responsible for matching images to known manatees; facilitating matching manatees between partner organizations and regions of the state; entering, editing, and verifying data; maintaining project databases; sketching manatee scar patterns from images; labeling, sorting, and tagging (categorizing) images; creating and updating written procedures; managing, organizing, and archiving slide, print, and digital manatee photo-identification records and associated datasheets; providing summary information and data to managers as needed; and assisting with the implementation of an integrated multi-agency Manatee Individual Photo-identification (MIPS) database. Additional responsibilities include independently collecting manatee-related photographic, spatial, environmental, genetic, and behavioral data from shore, in-water, and from watercraft (field work emphasis will be in the northwest region of Florida (Wakulla County to Hernando County) but may include state-wide travel); assisting with field and lab equipment, vehicle, and vessel, purchasing, organization, and maintenance; and other tasks as assigned by the supervisor. This position is primarily lab-based but does include field work.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Knowledge, Skill(s), and Abilities:

• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, biology, and natural systems
• Experience in photo-identification techniques (data collection and management of photo-identification data)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, scanning software, and image management software
• Skilled in the safe operation and trailering of small watercraft (up to 24ft.)
• Skilled in the use and maintenance of scientific field equipment, including digital SLR cameras
• Skilled in problem-solving and visual spatial reasoning
• Ability to record data independently and accurately in a sometimes-harsh field environment
• Ability to perform detail-oriented work in an organized manner
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to swim with sufficient skill to perform in-water research
• Ability to maintain a U.S. driver’s license

Application Requirements:

Applicants are required to ensure that their profile in People First is up to date and must apply through People First by midnight on the closing date listed. Go to:  https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com (enter 820599 in the keyword search field) or https://jobs.myflorida.com/job-invite/820599/. Applicants should also upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information (including email and phone) for three references with their People First application by the closing date, but these do not replace the requirement for applying through the State of Florida’s People First system.  Applicants are required to complete the additional application questions.  If you experience technical difficulties during the application process, please call People First at 1-877-562-7287. 

OPS Employment:

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?  Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? 

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office to determine eligibility.)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• Any form of paid leave
• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

Additional Requirements:

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible.  Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources.  Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs.  When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) point-of-view.

Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines.  The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Department of Financial Services rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.