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Posting Closing Date: 01/06/2025
Molluscan Fisheries
Biological Scientist I - OPS 77907449
Eastpoint, Florida - $19.50 per hour
Minimum Qualifications:
4 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required. OR, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.
A valid driver’s license is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preference may be given to candidates who have professional experience with marine invertebrates, laboratory sample processing, and scientific field work.
Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.
The employee will work approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for the duration of employment. The employment duration is anticipated to be March - October 2025. Not eligible for Telework.
Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.
Please note this position is not eligible for any form of paid leave time or paid holidays.
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
This is a seasonal full-time OPS position with the Molluscan Fisheries Research Group based at FWC's Apalachicola Field Lab in Eastpoint, Florida. The employee will work approximately 40 hours per week for the duration of employment, anticipated to be March - October 2025.
The employee will primarily assist with oyster research and monitoring work in the Florida Panhandle. This position will involve a significant amount of routine monthly laboratory work. The employee will also participate in some field work, which could involve long days and be conducted in varying weather conditions (hot, cold, windy, and/or rainy).
Duties will include, but are not limited to:
Participation in laboratory work, such as:
Processing oyster spat recruitment trap samples
Image analysis of oyster shell photos
Monthly oyster sample dissections for health and condition index monitoring, which involves processing both live and preserved specimens
Microscopic analysis of histological slides and specimens
Preparing supplies for various laboratory work
Calibration of water quality monitoring equipment such as YSIs
Following protocols for all sample processing, laboratory work, and chemical safety
Participation in field work, such as:
Routine sampling trips, which include monthly spat recruitment trips in multiple locations and monthly oyster monitoring collections in Apalachicola Bay
Oyster population surveys
Construction, maintenance, cleaning, and deployment of various field sampling gear
Following field sampling and boating safety protocols
Assisting with basic maintenance of vehicles, vessels, and trailers
Assisting with data entry and proofing
Completing administrative tasks such as purchasing, travel forms, timesheets, and tracking logs
Job duties could potentially include, dependent on project timelines and available opportunities:
Assisting with outreach programs and events (could involve some weekend work)
Assisting with fishery dependent monitoring efforts (creel surveys) during bay scallop season (could involve some weekend work and overtime hours)
Additionally, the position requires that you:
Maintain a valid driver’s license and drive state vehicles
Trailer research vessels up to 25’ in length to and from research sites using state vehicles
Maintain professional working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and other project partners
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and techniques used in scientific research and knowledge of laboratory procedures and practices associated with marine science and fisheries research
Skill with methods of data collection, and laboratory and field preparations in support of field-oriented fisheries research
Skill with basic laboratory methods including counting, weighing, measuring, animal dissections, tissue preparation and incubation, microscopy, species identification, data recording, data entry, and data proofing
Skill with scientific laboratory and field equipment
Skill using Microsoft office programs including Excel and Word
Ability to perform strenuous field duties in adverse conditions and maintain flexibility with work hours, including working overtime and weekends
Ability to learn standard operating protocols and willingly follow and adhere to them
Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently to accomplish research goals at the direction of the supervisor or field team leader
Ability to think logically and apply problem-solving techniques
Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors, both verbally and in writing
Ability to lift at least 50 lbs. repeatedly over extended periods
Ability to learn skills to safely trailer and collect scientific samples from vessels up to 25’ in length