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Posting Closing Date: 02/28/2025

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute – Freshwater Fisheries Research Section

$20.00 per hour

7386 NW 71st Street

Gainesville, 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications: A master’s degree in one of the biological sciences from an accredited college or university; or

Experience in aquaculture pertaining to freshwater mussels.

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.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Freshwater Invertebrate Conservation Group is seeking a motivated individual to assist program coordinators with planning, directing, and implementing the recovery of the Suwannee moccasinshell (Medionidus walkeri) in the Suwannee basin. Responsibilities include: supporting propagation and rearing of freshwater mussels; maintaining fish and mussel systems; establishing a mobile propagation trailer adjacent to the Santa Fe River for streamside propagation; assisting with host fish and mussel broodstock collection; overseeing infestations; rearing annual cohorts of native mussels; reintroducing cultured propagules into the upper Santa Fe River; implementing mussel surveys and monitoring at reintroduction sites; managing databases associated with fish and mussel collection, genetics, inoculation, and propagation of mussels; assisting supervisor with production of reports, scientific publications, posters, and presentations; and other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of methods used to sample, identify, and maintain freshwater mussels and fishes.

Knowledge of mussel and fish culture and ecology.

Knowledge of setting up and maintaining all aspects (i.e. water quality, flow rate, filtration, etc.) of aquaculture and hatchery systems.

Knowledge of maintenance associated with water quality, flow rate, appropriate rearing parameters, and feeding regimens for various species.

Experience performing minor repairs and maintenance of buildings, aquaria, filtration and circulation systems, and other equipment related to the husbandry of freshwater species.

Ability to conduct aquatic field work outdoors for long hours in inclement conditions.

Ability to work independently and in a research team environment.

Ability to write legibly and record data accurately.

Ability to complete assigned tasks on, or before, deadlines.

Ability to operate a computer with a Windows operating system.

Ability to use Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

Ability to enter recorded data properly into Excel spreadsheets and manage databases.