OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035

Date: Sep 1, 2021

Location: SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL, US, 32080


Direct link to job posting: https://jobs.myflorida.com/s/3eKWzu


Requisition No: 450401

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035

Position Number: 77903035

Salary:  $16 per hour

Posting Closing Date: 09/14/2021

North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Observer (Seasonal)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Section: Wildlife Research – Marine Mammals

Job Location: St. Augustine, FL (St. Johns County)

Rate of Pay: $16.00/hr; 40 hrs/week including weekends and holidays

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click 
on our E-Verify 
website<http://www.dms.myflorida.com/workforce_operations/human_resource_management/for_job_applicants/e_verify>.



Observer positions are temporary/seasonal, contingent upon funding, and will 
not be eligible for participation in State Group insurance benefits. 
Anticipated end date for this position is 4/2/2022.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES:

FWC’s FWRI conducts research and monitoring activities for right whales in the 
southeastern United States.  Projects focus on vessel-strike mitigation and 
data collection for federal assessment of the status and recovery of the North 
Atlantic right whale population.  Aerial surveys are flown daily, weather 
permitting, from December 1st through March 31st.  Observers collect in-flight 
survey data and right whale photo-documentation and assist with data entry, 
processing, and archival tasks as well as photo-identification.  Observers also 
provide ground support for the aerial survey crew and must communicate 
effectively with partner state and federal agencies and NGO representatives, as 
well as the general public.  Observers may assist with vessel surveys and 
photo-identification, multi-agency genetic sampling effort, field necropsies of 
right whales, large whale disentanglement, and documentation of large whale 
reports from the public.  Prior to the start of surveys on December 1st (dates 
TBA, likely mid-November), applicants will be required to attend and 
satisfactorily complete aircraft and marine safety and survival training as 
well as training to introduce the skills and responsibilities of an observer 
with FWC’s North Atlantic right whale program.  Applicants must be willing to 
regularly work weekends, holidays, and evenings.  Observer positions are 
temporary/seasonal and contingent upon funding.



MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in 
one of the biological sciences.



Preference may be given to candidates with previous aerial and/or marine mammal 
survey experience and practical knowledge of photo-identification techniques.  
Preference may also be given to candidates who demonstrate experience in 
database entry and hands-on experience with digital SLR cameras and lenses. 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Applicant must be able to: thrive in a small team environment and maintain 
successful working relationships; apply basic methods of data collection and 
field research; utilize problem solving techniques and work independently; 
carry-out daily manual labor (able to vertically lift at least 50 lbs.); excel 
under adverse field conditions including a full day seated in a small aircraft 
or aboard a small vessel; swim sufficiently to save oneself; and understand and 
correctly utilize applicable rules, regulations, and procedures. 



TO APPLY:

Applicants are required to apply by completing a State of Florida Employment 
Profile online in People First 
(http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com<http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/>) by 
midnight on the closing date stated. Additionally, in order to be considered 
for this position, applicants must include a cover letter highlighting their 
relevant qualifications for this position, a resume or CV, and contact 
information for at least three professional references.  If you experience 
technical difficulties during the application process, please call People First 
at 1-877-562-7287. (TTY applicants call 1-866-221-0268). 

 

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?  Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a 
temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short 
term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and 
may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees 
are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes 
to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or 
designee.

 

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory

Workers’ Compensation - mandatory

Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory

Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements)

Deferred Compensation - voluntary

Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

 

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

Any form of paid leave

Paid holidays

Participation in the Florida Retirement System

Reinstatement rights or retention rights

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action 
Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans 
with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People 
First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority 
must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject 
to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., 
Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Nearest Major Market: Jacksonville

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