Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77907128

Position Number: 77907128 

Salary:  $13 per hour, 40 hrs/wk 

Posting Closing Date: 01/03/2018 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Section: Wildlife Research/Marine Mammals

Location:  Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab – St. Petersburg, FL

Job Description

The successful candidate will assist in the coordination of salvage and recovery of marine mammal carcasses for the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL)/Northwest field station (Northwest region: coastal and inland waterways of Manatee County to Escambia County).  This is a 40 hour per week position which includes one weekend day and some holidays in rotation with other MMPL staff members for the purpose of responding to marine mammal emergencies as needed or assigned.  Incumbent will be expected to respond to marine mammal strandings outside of normal work schedule as needed or assigned. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serve as member of FWC’s manatee necropsy team conducting field and laboratory necropsies on marine mammals, record observations and complete associated necropsy reports. 
• Responsible for carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments. 
• Assist in marine mammal rescue and transport operations in the Northwest region and assist with marine mammal rescue and capture operations away from designated area as needed.
• Assist with repairs and maintenance of MMPL laboratory and field equipment.
• Assist with purchasing supplies and restocking laboratory and field consumables.
• Maintain fixed and frozen tissue inventories.
• Participate with priority program monitoring efforts as assigned, which may include aerial surveys, genetics sampling, and photo identification.
• Oversee cleaning and preparing of full and partial marine mammal skeletons as assigned, and manage the manatee bone loan inventory and documentation, including verifying the current status of loan agreements and reporting any discrepancies to the MMPL administrator.

Minimum Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences

Preferred Experience

Applicants having live and dead marine mammal stranding/necropsy experience may be given preference.

Desired Knowledge, Skill(s), 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 digital SLR cameras, filters, and lenses
• Knowledge of marine mammal capture, handling, and transport techniques
• Able to trailer flatbeds/utility trailers, and watercraft vessels up to 26’ in length
• 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 vertically 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 and maintain a Florida driver’s license within a month of employment

Applicants are required to submit a complete, up-to-date, State of Florida Application Form electronically in People First, by midnight on the closing date listed. Go to: https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com (enter 77907128 in the keyword search field). Additionally, applicants are required to complete the additional application questions and are encouraged to attach a cover letter, resume and three references with their People First application by the closing date. Further supporting documentation may be submitted in People First, but do not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida application form.

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 for details.)
• 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

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

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Anna Panike

Marine Mammal Biologist

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

3700 54^th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33711

Anna.Panike@myFWC.com