OPS Bio Sci III - 77907649

Requisition No: 842407 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Bio Sci III - 77907649

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77907649 

Salary:  $27.88 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/09/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC-FWRI Center for Biostatistics and Modeling, Ecological Data Services

Biological Scientist III – OPS Position

$27.88 per hour

100 8th Ave SE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

 FWRI Center for Biostatistics and Modeling

 Ecological Data Services

Biological Scientist III - OPS 77907649

Florida - $27.88 per hour

Our organization:

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.

Minimum Qualifications:
6 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 two years 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 and one year of professional experience as described above; or A doctorate 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 who possess a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in natural sciences; candidates who have three or more years of professional database management experience; or candidates who have experience with fish and wildlife data collection and analysis, relational database management, application development, natural resource data management, and/or a doctorate from an accredited college or university in data science, or one of the natural sciences.  

Requirements:

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Headquarters is in St. Petersburg, FL. FWC has offices throughout Florida. The St. Petersburg office is the preferred location however an alternative FWC-based office location may be negotiable. Not eligible for Telework. Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide documents demonstrating, describing, and/or diagramming a relational database they have developed and maintained. 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.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s (FWRI) Ecological Data Services (EDS) group is seeking to hire a Fish & Wildlife Database Engineer (Biological Scientist III – OPS 77907649).

Our ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in database design and data management, preferably with a master’s degree in the ecological sciences.  They will have created and enhanced multiple back-end relational databases.  They will have experience creating database documentation and metadata.  They will have experience managing data through back-end systems and via front-end application tools.  They will have a firm grasp on the scientific data life cycle and will be able to demonstrate experience supporting scientific data through all stages of the data life cycle. Candidates must be comfortable serving as an advocate for scientific data integrity.

The successful candidate will work with program staff to familiarize themselves with programmatic survey protocols, then develop relational databases with standards and metadata to support the survey protocols and data workflow.  They will migrate data into revised relational database structures, assist with structural enhancements, and help with protocol updates as needed.  They will work with program staff and application developers to create transactional data workflows that support data collection, storage, QA/QC, archival, and distribution. 

In cases where application products are needed, the successful candidate will provide consulting assistance to identify potential low-code or no-code software solutions like ESRI Survey 123 or MS Power Apps. In situations where a custom .NET application is needed, they will collaborate with the application developer(s) and subject matter experts to design workflows and develop and maintain the backend SQL database(s) and database transactions.

The successful candidate will act as a mentor to agency staff regarding data management best practices. They will help document standards and create reusable tools that can be leveraged across projects.  They may conduct training under the direction of Leadership. This position is housed in the FWRI Information Science & Management (IS&M) Section.  IS&M employs a variety of technical experts (Data Specialists, Biostatisticians, Research Librarians, GIS Specialists, Application Developers) who provide technical support and consulting services to agency staff.  IS&M currently employs six EDS staff who coordinate their work efforts to provide unified database support across agency projects. Existing EDS staff will serve as mentors to on-board new staff to agency data management workflows and requirements.

The salary is $58,000.00 per year (there is no state income tax in Florida) and includes full health benefits. The position is based in the State of Florida, office location will depend on the candidate selected. This announcement may potentially fill multiple vacancies. To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your qualifications and interest in the position, along with a CV, through the Florida State PeopleFirst system.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Must have applied database and application development experience, including organizing and analyzing data for database and software design.

Must be familiar with database & interface design principles, data standardization methodologies, relational database structures, and normalizing & optimization techniques.

Must be proficient with SQL Server, MS Access, and Excel.

Must be proficient in SQL.

Experience with additional programming & statistical languages such as VBA, C#, R, or SAS preferred.

Must be able to produce database & application documentation in a manner that is easily shared with and understood by biologists.

Familiarity with low code tools for application development is preferred, including but not limited to ESRI Survey123, ESRI Field Maps, ArcGIS Online, MS Access, MS Power Apps, MS Power BI.

Experience with fish and wildlife data collection and analysis techniques preferred.

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.

Must be able to understand and appreciate natural resource problems from the perspective of a biologist or resource manager.

Must be able to identify and define technical needs and assist with project prioritization to ensure priority project needs are met in a timely fashion.

Must be able to multi-task and work independently to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.

Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with research and technical staff, including personnel stationed at field offices throughout the state of Florida.

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. 

Biweekly Health Premiums $25.00 - Single / $90.00 - Family

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan

On the Job Trainings

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

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.