OPS - BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II

Requisition No: 442745

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS - BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 77903015

Position Number: 77903015

Salary: $16 per Hour

Posting Closing Date: 08/30/2021

Field work

• Participate in field sampling trips that range in length from 1 to 14 days and take place in all estuarine and marine environments including offshore locations
• Assist in capture of fish specimens by various means including nets, hook and line, and fish traps
• Conduct shipboard necropsies on fish to collect samples and data for life history and health investigations
• Properly document and sample gross abnormalities observed to affect fish specimens
• Conduct aquatic animal health event investigations as needed
• Operate water quality monitoring instruments and record observational data on paper and electronically

Lab work

• Process tissues for lipid analyses, histology, and other similar assays
• Organize and maintain inventory for laboratory supplies and reagents
• Evaluate histological sections of fish gonads to score for reproductive stage
• Evaluate fish tissues and organ rinses under dissecting microscopes to isolate, enumerate, identify, and properly fix parasites
• Conduct necropsies and health evaluations including both specimen dissection and data recording
• Assist in microbiological and molecular work as needed
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory and field instruments

Office work

• Process and assist in the analysis of parasitological, pathological, environmental, geospatial, and fish life history data
• Assist with data entry and proofing
• Assist in preparation of proposals, technical reports, scientific publications, and annual and 5-year reports
• Assist with literature reviews and update and maintain the FWH EndNote database
• Assist in development of protocols
• Answer the Fish Kill Hotline as needed and provide high quality customer service by responding to information requests and thoroughly documenting details of public reports

Responsible for the timely and accurate processing and/or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors. Responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements for Section 215.422, F.S., related State Comptroller's rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures. Courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation generally. Seeks to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

Knowledge of:

• Fish anatomy and identification
• Fundamentals of fish necropsy
• Aquatic animal health and disease concepts
• Histological processing techniques
• Scientific Method; terminology, principles and techniques used in biological research, analysis or testing
• General procedures, techniques and equipment used in biological laboratory testing and analysis
• Basic methods of relevant field and laboratory data collection

Skill in:

• Light microscopy
• Organization and time management
• Basic laboratory skills including proper handling of chemicals, biosafety, adherence to protocols, analytical measurements, data collection
• Use of relevant field equipment (seines, trawls, water quality instruments, etc.)

Ability to:

• Participate in inshore and offshore field sampling under harsh environmental conditions which may include extended cruises up to 14 days long during which non-emergency shore communication may be impossible and sea conditions may pose a serious health risk to individuals who are prone to motion sickness
• Comfortably use microscopes for several hours over the course of each week
• Work nights and weekends as needed
• Conduct biological research, studies or analyses using sound scientific methods and techniques
• Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments with others
• Analyze data using spreadsheet, graphing, and statistical software
• Use Microsoft Office platforms; MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Access
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Pull seine nets and lift up to 40 lbs.
• Travel for fish kill investigation and sample collection in remote locations
• Understand and abide by applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to this position
• Maintain a valid driver’s license

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or a master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences.

A resume and cover letter describing your interest in this position and relevant experience must be attached to the electronic State of Florida employment application.

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.