OPS Biological Scientist III - 77907392 1 1

Requisition No: 817622 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist III - 77907392 1 1

Position Number: 77907392 

Salary:  $25 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/15/2024 

FWC-FWRI OPS Biological Scientist III (Fish & Wildlife Database Engineer):  

 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s (FWRI) Ecological Data Services (EDS) group is seeking to hire multiple Fish & Wildlife Database Engineers.   

 

Our ideal candidates will have demonstrable experience in database design and data management, preferably with a master’s degree in the ecological 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.  

 

Candidates 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.  Candidates will migrate data into revised relational database structures, assist with structural enhancements, and help with protocol updates as needed.  Candidates 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, successful candidates 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, successful candidates will collaborate with the application developer(s) and subject matter experts to develop and maintain the backend SQL database(s) and database transactions. 

 

Programs requiring immediate support include the FWRI Fisheries Independent Monitoring (FIM) offshore sampling program, the FWRI Manatee program, and the FWRI Harmful Algal Bloom program. Each program has multiple existing relational databases (MS Access, SQL) that need to be reorganized and restructured.  Successful candidates will work closely with a team of subject matter experts and a .NET application developer to lead the creation of a consolidated database structure (in SQL) and develop workflows to support the program needs.  

 

The positions are 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 three 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 $25 per hour (there is no state income tax in Florida) and includes full health benefits. The positions are based in the State of Florida, office location will depend on the candidate(s) selected. Telework agreements may be considered.  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 by Monday, December 18th, 2023.   

  

Minimum Qualifications:  

 

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. 

*4 years professional experience in a directly related biological field or laboratory program can substitute for the required bachelor’s degree; additional years of experience as described above are also required. 

 

**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.   

 

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 principals, data standardization methodologies, relational database structures, and normalizing & optimization techniques. 

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

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

• Must be able to produce database & application user manuals 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 PowerApps, MS PowerBI. 

• 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. 

 

NOTE: 

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

• The position may be eligible for telework or remote work. 

• This announcement may potentially fill multiple vacancies. 

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a level 1 background check (at no cost to the candidate). 

  

Rate of pay: $25.00 per hour, up to $52,000 annually.  Additionally, we can offer some variability in the hourly rate to accommodate flexibility in the annual work schedule.  

 

Where To Apply:  

Applicants are required to apply through People First by the closing date listed. Resumes and supporting documentation may be submitted at the same time of application online.  

If you experience technical difficulties during the application process or when attaching documents, call People First staffing at 1-877-562-7287.  

  

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE FLORIDA STATE PEOPLEFIRST SYSTEM AT http://jobs.myflorida.com  

  

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 (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office to determine eligibility.)  

• 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. 

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.

Salary : $52,000