Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS RESEARCH ASSISTANT - 77907420

Position Number: 77907420

Salary: $15 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 05/16/2018

This announcement is for an OPS research assistant position in support of work funded by a one-year research grant to evaluate grazing impacts of bivalves on the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense. The position is a full-time, hourly position starting at $15/hour.

The successful candidate will assist with bivalve grazing experiments in the laboratory. This work will involve enumerating algal cells using microscopy, culturing algae, handling and processing shellfish tissue for toxin analysis, entering and maintaining data, cleaning bivalve cages and/or aquaria, and assisting with field work (to collect bivalves, seawater, and environmental data) or other laboratory duties (e.g. washing glassware and sample vials, labeling sample containers, logging samples).

Required minimum qualifications include:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics.
Experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

The entry-level knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) needed to perform job duties are:

Knowledge of marine biology, environmental science, and/or microbiology, basic statistics, experimental design, and standard laboratory equipment, techniques, terminology and safety protocols; methods of data collection; principles and techniques of research and analysis.
Skills in standard laboratory and microscopic techniques, with experience in MS Office applications such as Excel.
Ability to communicate effectively and work well with others, follow standard operating protocols, troubleshoot and maintain quality control standards in the laboratory, and to perform basic data entry and analysis; to meet deadlines; work independently, follow standard operating protocols, troubleshoot, and maintain quality control standards in the lab.

Preferred qualifications include:

Experience in algal culturing or aquaculture
Experience working in laboratories
Experience with MS Office applications such as Excel
Experience with basic data analysis

To Apply:

Submit a State of Florida Employment Profile Form though this website, AND
Email a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references together in a single PDF document toFWRI.HAB.RA@gmail.com.

Both steps must be completed before applicants are considered. Applications will be accepted immediately and until the position is filled.

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, please consult with your servicing HR 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