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Posting Closing Date: 01/24/2025
$20.50 per hour
100 8th St SE
Saint Petersburg, FL
Minimum Qualifications:
5 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required.
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 can substitute for the required experience.
Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.
Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. 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.
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
Field work - Participate in field sampling trips in all estuarine and marine environments including offshore locations or in terrestrial wetland and upland ecosystems throughout the state. Trips may range from 1 to 14 days. Assist in capture of fish specimens by various means including nets, hook and line, and fish traps. Assist in capture and field health sampling of live herpetological and avian species including hand capture and trapping. 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, avian, and herpetological specimens. Investigate aquatic animal and avian and herpetological health and mortality events as needed. Assist with carcass collection and transfer between field and laboratory. 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. Evaluate histological sections of fish gonads to score for reproductive stage and differential blood cell counts. 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 including DNA extraction and qPCR assays. Laboratory upkeep and organization. Maintain specimen inventory (fixed and frozen tissues). Submit samples to laboratories for diagnostics.
Office work - Process and assist in the analysis of parasitological, pathological, environmental, geospatial, and life history data of fish, avian, and herpetological species. 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, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Fish anatomy and identification
Fundamentals of fish necropsy
Animal health and disease concepts for aquatic and terrestrial species
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
DNA Extraction and PCR
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