Ops Biological Scientist

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Requisition No:866123

Agency:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title:

OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I -

$19.50 per hour

350 Carroll Street

Eastpoint, FL

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Molluscan Fisheries

Biological Scientist I - OPS

Eastpoint, Florida - $19.50 per hour

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.

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.

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.

Proof of Open Water Scuba certification from a nationally accredited organization.

A valid driver's license.

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:

• Experience with scientific field work or marine invertebrates.
• AAUS scientific diving certification.
• Experience with trailering, vessel operation, and basic maintenance of boats, trucks, and trailers.

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.

This is a full‑time position with the Molluscan Fisheries Research Group based at FWC's Apalachicola Field Lab in Eastpoint, Florida. This position will primarily assist with oyster research and long‑term monitoring work in Apalachicola Bay.

Field sampling occurs year‑round, in potentially adverse and physically challenging conditions. Field days can reach or exceed 12 hours in duration and may require some overnight travel. A few months of the year will be heavily field‑oriented, while others will only have a couple field days. The field duties include but are not limited to participating in monthly oyster spat recruitment sampling, monthly oyster collections, annual oyster population surveys, and annual bay scallop population surveys.

Field sampling methods and safety protocols must be adhered to at all times. Population surveys and collections require snorkeling and Scuba diving following AAUS standards. Staff are required to obtain AAUS scientific diving certification through the job within 6 months of employment.

Once samples are collected, the focus will shift to laboratory work. Lab duties include but are not limited to processing oyster recruitment samples, image analysis of oyster shell photos, oyster dissections, and microscopic analysis of histological slides and specimens. All lab work requires close attention to detail and must adhere to safety and processing protocols.

A sizeable portion of the job involves maintenance and preparation of sampling gear, field and lab equipment, vehicles, vessels, and trailers. These maintenance duties range from equipment calibrations, to constructing sampling gear, cleaning used sampling equipment, chemical…