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 and rescue team.  Conduct necropsies in the lab or 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.  Assist with processing and labeling of manatee necropsy slides and digital images.  Serve with other Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory staff members in the rotating, on-call duty (that includes weekends and occasionally 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
• Experience creating and managing databases, spreadsheets, and word processing such as Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word
• Able to trailer flatbeds and watercraft vessels
• Able to safely operate watercraft vessels 26’ and smaller
• Be capable in manual labor requiring handling of heavy equipment, sharp objects, and working under unpleasant conditions
• Must be physically fit, able to lift at least 50 lbs, and be able to swim sufficiently to save ones self
• Able to conduct fieldwork in all weather conditions
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Be comfortable speaking with the public
• Possess or be able to obtain a Florida driver’s license within a year 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 apply at this posting 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 54^th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727)893-2904
Fax: (727)893-2907
http://research.myfwc.com