Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission- OPS Biological Scientist I -77907532 Announcement Type: Open Competitive Rate of Pay: $13.50/hour, 40 hours/week Location: Tequesta, FL Closing Date: August 11, 2019 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Section: Wildlife Research - Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles Direct link to apply: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TEQUESTA-OPS-Biological-Scientist-I-FWC-77907... DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: This position is split among the marine mammal and sea turtle sections, located in Tequesta, and participates in Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's manatee research program in a seven-county area along southeast Florida, and will respond to or coordinate response to reports of stranded sea turtles and document the incident. This includes managing a wildlife alert hotline with calls from the public. Work schedule is Thursday through Monday. Duties may include but are not limited to: recover manatee and sea turtle carcasses in southeast Florida, transport carcasses, conduct necropsies, participate in manatee and sea turtle rescue, including coordination of capture and transportation of injured animals to the appropriate rehabilitation facilities; provide training and guidance for Sea Turtle Stranding Network participants, participate in aerial surveys, photograph manatees for photo identification purposes; operate software such as Excel, Access, Word, Adobe, web-based databases, and mapping and interpreting spatial data; assist with regional water temperature monitoring project; data entry, office work and public outreach including working with the media; general cleaning of office and equipment, vehicle, trailer and boat maintenance and other tasks assigned by supervisor; work long, unscheduled hours on short notice that include some evenings and holidays. Occasional overnight travel required. 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 candidates who have marine mammal and sea turtle stranding-response experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Applicant must obtain boater safety certification and CPR/First Aid within the first six months of employment. Applicant must be able to swim proficiently. Field work is highly physical and applicant must be physically fit and able to lift 75 lbs vertically on a regular basis. Applicant must have the ability to work both as a team member as well as independently in various field situations; must be able to work under adverse field conditions including nights, weekends and holidays; must be able to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships; think logically, multi-task, and apply problem-solving techniques; effectively communicate verbally and in writing; skill in the use of Microsoft Office Software and web-based databases; and maintain a valid FL driver's license. Knowledge of marine animal biology, anatomy, and conservation, especially pertaining to those in Florida and knowledge of terminology and methodology used when collecting data of stranded marine animals and when conducting sea turtle nesting beach surveys. Knowledge of and the ability to use computers, field gear, and cameras are highly desired. The ability to safely operate large trucks, pull trailers and boats less than 30 feet in length is also highly desired. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please submit a current resume, list of three references, and a cover letter along with your State of Florida Employment Profile in People First, as attachments. 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 Amber Howell Research Associate- Marine Mammals Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 19100 SE Federal Hwy, Tequesta FL 33469 561-398-5914 24 hour FWC Hotline: 888-404-3922