Hello all,

An announcement for a OPS Biological Scientist I at the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St. Petersburg, FL has been posted.

Direct link to the job posting in People’s First: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/SAINT-PETERSBURG-OPS-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-I-FWC-77902156-FL-33711/574402100/

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OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77902156

Date: Jul 15, 2019

Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, US, 33711

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Requisition No: 67672 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77902156

Position Number: 77902156 

Salary:  $14.00/hr 

Posting Closing Date: 08/02/2019 

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Section: Wildlife Research-Marine Mammals

This is OPS (Other Personal Service) position. It is considered a full-time position, working 40 hrs/week.  Occasional overtime hours may occur. Hours worked over 40 per week, Friday to Thursday, are considered overtime and are paid @ 1.5 times the regular wage.

DESCRIPTION

This position will assist in the coordination of salvage and recovery of marine mammal carcasses for the Northwest field station (Northwest region: coastal and inland waterways of Manatee County to Escambia County) and assist with carcass and necropsy responses statewide as needed.  This position will serve as member of FWC’s marine mammal necropsy team conducting field and laboratory necropsies on marine mammals, record observations and complete associated necropsy reports.  The incumbent will be responsible for carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments.  The position will assist in marine mammal rescue and transport operations in the Northwest region and assist with marine mammal rescue and capture operations in other regions as needed.  This position will be responsible for the management of Marine Mammal Pathology Laboratory (MMPL) volunteers and interns, including recruitment, scheduling, and assignment of tasks. This position will be responsible for downloading and logging images (photos/video) taken during MMPL necropsies, rescues, captures, and other field activities and will oversee repairs and general maintenance of all photography equipment at MMPL.  This position will work holidays in rotation with other MMPL staff members for the purpose of responding to marine mammal emergencies as needed or assigned and will respond to marine mammal stranding's outside of normal work schedule as needed or assigned.

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

**Preference may be given to individuals who have live and dead marine mammal stranding/necropsy experience.  Experience with dissection, pathology, and/or animal necropsies is preferred.  Preference may also be given to those with experience with live marine stranding responses.

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 digital SLR cameras, filters, and lenses
• Knowledge of marine mammal capture, handling, and transport techniques
• Able to trailer flatbeds/utility trailers 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 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

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?  Other Personal Services (OPS) 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.

Nearest Major Market: Tampa

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