Job Opportunity - North Atlantic Right Whale Program Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Section: Wildlife Research - Marine Mammals Job Location: St. Augustine, FL (St. Johns County) Rate of Pay: $19.00-$21.00/hr (depending on experience) Closing Date: 9/24/2016 Position is temporary/seasonal, contingent upon funding, and will not be eligible for participation in State Group insurance benefits. Anticipated end date of this position is 5/15/2017. Position is funded by a multi-year grant (three years remaining) that requires annual renewals. 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 (upon meeting eligibility requirements) * 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 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: FWC's FWRI conducts research and monitoring activities for right whales in the southeastern United States. Projects focus on vessel-strike mitigation and data collection for federal assessment of the status and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale population. We anticipate this position will start on or around October 15th and end May 15th. Aerial surveys are flown daily, weather permitting, from December 1st through March 31st. Aerial observers collect in-flight survey data and right whale photo-documentation and assist with photo-identification and data entry, analyses, and archival tasks. Observers also provide ground support for the aerial survey crew and must communicate effectively with partner state and federal agencies and NGO representatives, as well as the general public. In addition to the responsibilities carried out by observers, this position will help facilitate: observer training, survey implementation, data preparation and submission, grant reporting and administrative tasks. Staff may also assist with vessel based photo-identification, multi-agency genetic sampling effort, field necropsies of right whales, and disentanglement. Prior to the start of surveys on December 1st (dates TBA), the applicant will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete aircraft and marine safety and survival training. Applicants must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and evenings. This position is temporary/seasonal and contingent upon funding, but could be renewed for up to three years (winters of 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19). QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences from an accredited university is required. Applicant must be able to: work and share accommodations in a team environment, communicate effectively with team members and research partners, utilize problem solving techniques, excel under adverse field conditions, endure a full day in a small aircraft, and understand and correctly utilize applicable rules, regulations, and procedures. Previous aerial and/or marine mammal survey experience and photo-identification knowledge and skills are required. Applicants must also have experience in database entry and photographic management software as well as familiarity and knowledge of digital cameras and zoom lenses. Experience in field team coordination and implementation are strongly desired. TO APPLY: Direct link to job posting: http://jobs.myflorida.com/viewjob.html?refnode=3814221 Applicants are required to submit a complete, up-to-date, State of Florida Employment Application Form electronically in People First, by midnight on the closing date listed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attach a cover letter highlighting their qualifications for this position along with a copy of their resume or CV with professional references. You will be asked to attach this information after you answer job-related questions, but before you begin the State of Florida application. Go to: http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com. If you experience technical difficulties during the application process, please call People First at 1-877-562-7287. (TTY applicants call 1-866-221-0268). The closing date for this announcement is 9/24/2016. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). 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. The State of Florida hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. If a conditional offer of employment is made, you will be required to provide identification and proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States for the hiring authority to which application is made. E-Verify will be used to verify work authorization and identity.