OPS Research Assistant - 77907517

State of Florida•Lakeland, FL

4d•$20 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy. Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment. This is a temporary, full-time (>30 hours/week) biological research position funded by a State Wildlife Grant through 6/30/2027, with potential continuation contingent upon future grant awards. The position will serve on the statewide Freshwater Plants research group, whose mission is to conduct applied research to assist and inform ecosystem managers on priority aquatic plant issues. Priority issues vary over time as needed by the management community and currently include assessment of submergent and emergent aquatic plant communities in lakes and rivers, aquatic plant control techniques, habitat restoration, and revegetation methods. Specific job duties include but are not limited to the following: Serve as a crew member on a sampling team to collect biological data for the project: Assessment of Aquatic Vegetation and Salinity in Coastal Wetlands of Florida Rivers. The study area will include 10 rivers along the Florida gulf coast. The sampling protocol will include navigating sampling sites using handheld GPS units, identifying and surveying aquatic vegetation coverage within sampling plots, and measuring water quality parameters along the sampling reach. Duties will include operating FWC vehicles, towing trailers, and operating vessels in waters of the state. Duties will include participation in overnight sampling trips, and potentially working under extreme environmental conditions (e.g., heat, winds and rough water, currents, sheltering from storms, and long hours in the field as needed to complete work assignments). Maintain sampling equipment, vehicles, and vessels and prepare for sampling trips. Enter field data into computer databases, including quality assurance quality control (QAQC) measures to ensure accuracy of entries. Assist with data analysis and writing grant reports to document project progress and results. Assist Freshwater Plants Research staff with supplemental data collection including literature reviews, data downloads from agency websites, and/or additional field sampling efforts. Promote and participate in FWC public outreach events (e.g., Marine Quest) as assigned. Complete administrative tasks including agency training; submission of timesheets, vehicle reports, and travel forms; and keeping current on email and schedule via Outlook calendar.

Requirements

4 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field, laboratory program, physical or natural sciences, or mathematics is required.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics can substitute for the required experience.
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.
Employment in this position requires possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques used in scientific research including the collection and organization of field data, freshwater plant identification, and ecology.
Skill in the safe operation of vehicles, trailers, and watercraft (<25 ft.); the use of scientific sampling equipment such as GPS and YSI water quality meters; and computer operation and software including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Commission employees, support staff, and the public; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; collect and enter data into computer databases; plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Preference may be given to candidates with field experience identifying and sampling aquatic vegetation and/or working in aquatic environments with currents (i.e., rivers or tidal areas).

Responsibilities

Serve as a crew member on a sampling team to collect biological data for the project: Assessment of Aquatic Vegetation and Salinity in Coastal Wetlands of Florida Rivers.
Maintain sampling equipment, vehicles, and vessels and prepare for sampling trips.
Enter field data into computer databases, including quality assurance quality control (QAQC) measures to ensure accuracy of entries.
Assist with data analysis and writing grant reports to document project progress and results.
Assist Freshwater Plants Research staff with supplemental data collection including literature reviews, data downloads from agency websites, and/or additional field sampling efforts.
Promote and participate in FWC public outreach events (e.g., Marine Quest) as assigned.
Complete administrative tasks including agency training; submission of timesheets, vehicle reports, and travel forms; and keeping current on email and schedule via Outlook calendar.