OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77907293 Date: Sep 28, 2018 Location: PORT CHARLOTTE, FL, US, 33954 Apply now ><https://jobs.myflorida.com/talentcommunity/apply/508988500/?locale=en_US> https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/PORT-CHARLOTTE-OPS-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-I-FWC... Requisition No: 45303 Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77907293 Position Number: 77907293 Salary: $13.50 per hour Posting Closing Date: 10/12/2018 Job Description The successful candidate will assist in the coordination of salvage and recovery of marine mammal carcasses for the Port Charlotte Field Lab (MMPL)/Southwest field station (Southwest region: ten county area along the southwest Florida coast). This is a 40 hour per week position which includes one weekend day and some holidays in rotation with other SWFL 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: * Fielding calls from FWC Law Enforcement, other agencies, and the general public regarding marine mammals, particularly manatees and cetaceans; * Verification of mortalities and distressed manatees and cetaceans, potentially in need of rescue * Recovery and transportation of those carcasses to the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (in St. Petersburg) for necropsy; participation in rescues and transportation of sick and injured manatees and cetaceans to appropriate facility; * Performing and assisting with field necropsies when appropriate * Vehicle, trailer and boat maintenance * Photographing and sketching manatees at winter refugia and known warm weather habitat areas on the southwest coast * Entering and/or mapping data such as carcasses using software such as ArcGIS, Excel, Access and Word * Completing paperwork including time sheets, manatee carcass and rescue reports, and technical reports * Participate in manatee aerial surveys and tracking projects, assisting with manatee outreach programs such as presentations for local groups and agencies as time permits * General cleaning of office and equipment, attend trainings, seminars and meetings 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 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. Nearest Major Market: Fort Myers https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/PORT-CHARLOTTE-OPS-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-I-FWC...