RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072689

Requisition No: 827520 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072689

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072689 

Salary:  $62,343 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 05/19/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Section/Subsection: Marine Fisheries Research/Fisheries-Independent Monitoring

Research Scientist – Career Service Position with Benefits

$2,398 Biweekly, $62,343 Annually

100 Eighth Ave SE

St. Petersburg, FL

 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Research Scientist - CS 77072689

Working Title: Senior Database Engineer

St. Petersburg, Florida - $62,343 Annually

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:
9 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 major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and five years of professional experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and four years of professional experience as described above; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and two years of professional experience as described above 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 or data sciences; candidates who have three or more years of professional experience in database design and management; 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. 
Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Telework agreements and remote work may be considered.

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.

Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide documents demonstrating, describing, and/or diagramming a relational database they have developed and maintained.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical database support to the Fisheries Independent Monitoring program.

The duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent will work with program staff to familiarize themselves with programmatic survey protocols, then modify and/or develop relational databases with standards and metadata to support the survey protocols and data workflow. Incumbent will migrate data into revised relational database structures, assist with structural enhancements, and help with protocol updates as needed. Incumbent will work with program staff and application developers to create transactional data workflows that support data collection, storage, QA/QC, archival, and distribution. The incumbent will collaborate with the application developer(s) and subject matter experts to develop and maintain the backend SQL database(s) and database transactions. The incumbent will be responsible for the organization, workflow, and restructuring of multiple existing relational databases in SQL to support the program needs. The incumbent will work toward a long-term, holistic, data management vision for the Fisheries Independent Monitoring program, based on current and projected needs/growth. 

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in SQL database design and data management, preferably with a master’s degree in the ecological or data sciences. They will have created one or more 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 a scientific data advocate.

 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Proficient with SQL, MS Access, and Excel

Possess strong organizational skills

Knowledge in using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Knowledge in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook and Adobe Pro
Knowledge of applied database and application development

Knowledge of database & interface design principals, data standardization methodologies, relational database structures, and normalizing & optimization techniques

Ability to organize and analyze data for database and software design

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to work independently and multi-task to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments

Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines

Ability to organize and file documents
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
Ability to understand and appreciate natural resource problems from the perspective of a biologist or resource manager

Ability to identify and define technical needs and assist with project prioritization to ensure priority project needs are met in a timely fashion

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

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
State of Florida employees 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. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.  As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.

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

No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year

4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrued Biweekly

Retirement Plan Options

State University and College Tuition Waiver Program

On the Job Trainings

Support for family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees.

Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons because we understand the importance of giving back to the community.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.