Job Information
MyFlorida OPS RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 37978053 in NAPLES, Florida
OPS RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 37978053
Date: Aug 26, 2024
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) .
Requisition No: 836313
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: OPS RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 37978053
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 37978053
Salary: 41,500.00
Posting Closing Date: 09/16/2024
Total Compensation Estimator Tool (https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/)
Research Scientist
Position #37978053
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Our Organization and Mission:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to create strong community partnerships, safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystem.
The Work You Will Do:
This is an OPS Research Scientist, within the Division of Resilience and Coastal Protection, at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve located in Naples, FL. This position will lead the avian ecology and bird steward program, designing and overseeing all avian habitat monitoring conducted by the research team. This position will perform regular field surveys, collaborate with external partners regarding the stewardship of Florida’s avian resources, and will translate monitoring information for management strategies, education, and outreach purposes.
The Difference You Will Make:
This position has a key role in protecting threatened and endangered resources within our Southwest Florida ecosystem. True stewardship of avian resources requires inter- and intra-agency organization, and this position plays a key role in communicating within and outside of DEP’s agency.
How You Will Grow:
DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.
Where You Will Work:
RBNERR is located between the beautiful coastal towns of Naples and Marco Island in Collier County, Florida
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s benefits package for eligible OPS employees includes:
Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*). For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b). For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com (https://www.myfloridacfo.com/DeferredComp/)
State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) (https://opsfl.aigrs.com/plan-details/social-security-alternative-plan) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan;
Flexible Spending Accounts;
For a more benefits information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .
*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.
Pay:
$41,500 annually
Your Specific Responsibilities:
The duties for this position involve strong communication skills, a collaborative mindset, and a base knowledge of avian ecology.
This position will be responsible for field team coordination and data collection, assimilation, and dissemination. Ideally, the incumbent will be able to apply complex statistical and multivariate models to evaluate program data, but it is not necessary.
Conducts regular and periodic coastal water bird surveys throughout the year, with an emphasis on bird nesting behavior and reproductive success.
Regularly operates boats with outboard motors in estuarine and coastal waterways.
Will be working around and in the water as duties require.
Works with external agencies to coordinate predator management during the breeding season.
Coordinates with volunteers, students, external scientists, and other agencies to conduct wildlife and habitat monitoring.
Participates in education and communication opportunities by providing field trips at nature festivals, producing general audience literature, working with ecotour operators, and participating in Master Naturalist lessons.
Maintains databases for avian monitoring and habitat monitoring, performing QA/QC for reserve-derived datasets.
Works cross-sectorally among all departments at the Reserve (Research, Education, Stewardship, Coastal Training, and administration.
Continually participating in training opportunities on boat handling, database management, instrument operations, and wildlife/habitat survey methods.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Excellent communication (oral & written) skills.
Knowledge of advanced features in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint.
Ability to analyze data and organize it for presenting to the general public.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to use independent judgement and decision making, with strong problem resolution skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with minimal supervision or guidance, and to set working schedules well in advance.
Ability to work in standing or sitting positions for extended periods.
Ability to identify shorebird species, count populations in dense aggregations, and base knowledge of local shorebird nesting ecology.
Ability to work with the public under a variety of conditions and diffuse or avoid confrontational situations altogether.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biological sciences, natural resources, or other ecology related sciences.
Any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related work experiences, as described above, for a total of 2 years.
Valid U.S. driver’s license.
Ability to lift 25lbs and work outside for extended periods of time exposed to hot weather, biting insects, and intense sun.
Must be able to independently and safely get on and off boats and walk up to 5 miles in sand carrying field equipment.
Must be able to swim
Must have basic Avian identification skills and related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ability to safely operate flat-bottomed boats fitted with outboard motors in coastal and estuarine waters.
Ability to use statistical software, or GIS for spatial data, to analyze data.
Ability to identify different age classes of shorebirds and seabirds.
DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:
HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us
HR_ER@dep.state.fl.us
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.
Location:
NAPLES, FL, US, 34113
Nearest Major Market:Naples
