[Coral-List] Job Announcement - Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute (St. Petersburg, FL)

Ruzicka, Rob Rob.Ruzicka at MyFWC.com
Thu Jun 18 12:02:18 EDT 2009


Please distribute widely. 

FL FISH & WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE 
ANTICIPATED VACANCY
 ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST - CORALS 
Position #70372

ANTICIPATED START DATE: August 6th, 2009

ANTICIPATED STARTING SALARY: $1,963.29 biweekly with benefits
($51,045.54 annually)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Serve as the lead coral reef taxonomist and ecologist on the coral reef
research team. Provide technical assistance and guidance on issues
regarding coral reef systematics, ecology, and biology within the Agency
and to other governmental, academic, and private organizations as
needed. Review and comment on proposed regulatory actions to maintain
consistency with State reef resource management goals. Represent Florida
and the FWC on resource assessment scientific and management committees
at the State, federal and regional level as designated. Participate in
cooperative projects with other governmental, private agencies and
institutions. Make presentations at public, managerial, governmental,
and scientific meetings and symposia. 

Participate as a core team member of the coral reef monitoring and
evaluation project (CREMP) in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
(FKNMS) and Dry Tortugas. Conduct research, underwater surveys and
monitoring to assess status and trends of coral reefs. Participate in
field data collection using underwater photography, videography, and
other sampling equipment and perform surveys to assess bleaching,
disease and other sources of coral related stress and damage. Assist in
the experimental design and implementation of coral reef research and
monitoring projects targeting community structure and population
dynamics. Identify scleractinian corals and other benthic reef taxa to
appropriate taxonomic level in situ and in digital video images.
Maintain proficiency as an FWRI/AAUS scientific diver.

Assist in the analysis and interpretation of CREMP data. Conduct
descriptive and statistical analyses as appropriate. Serve as a
co-author in the preparation of CREMP reports and manuscripts.
Independently write and design proposals for coral research projects.
Collaborate with other staff of FWRI and/or external
researchers/partners to develop studies that expand the focus of the
coral reef research group. Act as the principal investigator for other
coral reef/benthic research grants and contracts as assigned to assure
completion of project goals. Independently and cooperatively write and
review scientific manuscripts for refereed or peer reviewed journals and
other products authored by the coral research team. Assure that products
are timely, accurate and of high quality. Review/edit proposals and
scientific manuscripts related to coral reef communities written by
other FWRI staff and outside researchers. Supervise and mentor interns,
volunteers, or other FWRI staff to complete coral related projects.
Duties include but are not limited to: recruitment, training, planning
and directing work, reviewing performance with employee, and ensuring
compliance with Commission and FWRI rules, policies, and procedures.

Participate in other coral research projects as directed to include
emergency response events (groundings, oil spills, disease outbreaks
etc), diving surveys, restoration activities, and underwater mapping.
Promote and participate in FWC/FWRI public outreach efforts as
appropriate.

NOTE: This position requires extended travel in the field. Travel often
requires 2 week stays in the field and requires working on weekends;
workweeks in the field are often 60 hours. Overtime is not paid for work
over 40 hours in one work week; however, compensatory time is accrued
for hours worked over 80 biweekly. Travel expenses will be reimbursed. 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major
in one of the biological sciences and two years professional experience
or a PhD. Preference may be given to qualified candidates with a PhD. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:  marine biology and/or ecology, systematic of reef
organisms, in particular Scleractinia, the principles and techniques
related to benthic resource management, marine experimental design and
research, multi-variate statistics and statistical software programs,
the  principles of SCUBA diving, diving safety, knowledge of and ability
to safely operate boats, trailers and related equipment.  Knowledge of
PC computer software (Word, Excel, Windows, Access).

Skill in: the identification of reef organisms, in particular
Scleractinia, the basic use of marine navigation and electronics
equipment, SCUBA diving and underwater navigation, seamanship,
(demonstrated) organizational and communication skills.   Demonstrated
ability to write scientifically, develop proposals, and author
manuscripts.  Ability to: complete assigned tasks in a timely manner,
understand, review, and apply rules, regulations, policies, and
procedures related to benthic resource management,  present scientific
methods and results to scientific and non-scientific audiences, to work
as a team member to accomplish project goals, maintain effective working
relationships with research and management personnel, effectively
supervise, mentor/train temporary staff/personnel, participate in heavy
physical exertion while swimming or diving, meet the American Academy of
Underwater Sciences scientific diver standards, obtain mixed gas
(NITROX) certification, lift heavy equipment up to 50 lbs, endure long
work hours and extensive periods of time in the field.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid driver's license and open water SCUBA certification required.
Class D drivers license, advanced diving certification (NITROX) and
current CPR and First Aid certifications required post-employment. 

TO APPLY

All applicants must submit an electronic application through People
First (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/). In addition, applicants are
required to submit an electronic copy of their resume, cover letter, and
names of three references by the closing date to Mr. Jim Kozlowski
(Jim.Kozlowski at MyFWC.com). Incomplete applications will not be
considered. For more information contact Jim Kozlowski at:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 
100 8th Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: 727-896-8626 x 3202

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 17th, 2009

FWC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/American Disability Act
Employer. If you require an accommodation to participate in the
application/selection process, as defined by the ADA, please contact the
hiring authority in advance. Veterans' preference will be given to
eligible veterans and their spouses in accordance with Chapter 295 of
the Florida Statutes.

Federal law requires that we hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully
authorized aliens who can provide proof of their identity and employment
eligibility. 

Thank you,

 

Rob Ruzicka

Coral Program

FL Fish & Wildlife Research Institute

100 8th Ave SE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: 727-896-8626 x 1134

Email: rob.ruzicka at myfwc.com <mailto:rob.ruzicka at myfwc.com> 

http://research.myfwc.com/ <http://research.myfwc.com/> 

 

 




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