OPS Environmental Specialist II

The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) is seeking an OPS Environmental Specialist II to assist with the Reserve’s Research and Stewardship Program Initiatives. The qualified candidate will work within ANERR’s Research and Stewardship sectors to conduct estuarine, marsh, and land management research and monitoring activities. This position will serve as lead for the Reserve’s Wetlands and Water Levels (formerly called NOAA Sentinel Site) program which includes 3 main components: 1) emergent marsh vegetation surveys, 2) surface elevation table (SET) measurements, and 3) marsh porewater sampling data collection. These components include working with contractors to collect vegetation data, managing field work to conduct all surveys, QA/QC of data, metadata creation, and submissions to the Centralized Data Management Office under the NOAA NERRs System. 

This position will be expected to assist with field and lab work, data collection, entry, and documentation for a variety of estuarine, marsh, and land management projects. Research sector projects include  water quality sampling (deployment of data sondes that continually monitor water chemistry, collection of samples for nutrient chlorophyll-a content analysis), maintenance of meteorological stations, plankton sampling, fish and macroinvertebrate trawls, station and equipment maintenance (including station cleaning via SCUBA diving), data entry and quality control, visiting researcher assistance and coordination, and occasional scientific writing. Stewardship projects include emergent marsh vegetation and mangrove surveys, sea turtle nesting surveys, invasive plant surveys and treatments, habitat mapping, public use and access, and more; with the option to participate in prescribed fires after certification. Time spent on various projects and between the two sectors will vary seasonally, but may be around 50-70% Research and 50-30% Stewardship. The position includes a small amount (~3% of time) assistance with Nature Center shifts and participation in Reserve-wide Educational events such as Estuaries Day a few times per year. Many project sites are remote and only accessible by boat and the candidate will be expected to trailer and pilot a vessel up to 29 feet within the first year of hire; the candidate will also be asked to operate UTVs and kayaks.

We do not expect applicants to have experience with every task and project listed in the job description, but the successful applicant will demonstrate an ability to learn quickly and have a proven ability to work well as part of a team or independently as needed. The successful candidate will gain exposure to multiple techniques and sampling equipment utilized by coastal scientists and land managers, and work in laboratory, field, and office settings.

About:
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides funding to state governments and universities to administer the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs). The Florida Department of Environmental Protection works with NOAA to maintain ANERR. Designated in 1979, ANERR has conducted research, monitoring, education, training, and stewardship activities for over 40 years. More information about the NERRs and ANERR can be found at: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ecosystems/nerrs/ and
https://www.apalachicolareserve.com/. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Knowledge of estuarine, marsh, and coastal ecosystem ecology and function.
• Knowledge of the procedures, techniques, and equipment used in a scientific laboratory.
• Knowledge of field techniques involving the sampling of physical, chemical, and biological parameters.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written.
• Must be able to work and maintain a positive attitude in rigorous field conditions (hot, humid, sunny, buggy conditions) and remote field areas.
• Ability to cooperate with teammates or independently as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological, aquatic, marine, natural resource conservation, environmental sciences, or similar.
• Nationally recognized open water SCUBA diver certification (NAUI, PADI, SSI), willingness to participate in the DEP dive program (requires medical monitoring), and willingness to dive and snorkel in conditions of low visibility and strong currents.
• The ability to safely lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Experience operating and trailering boats up to 28 feet, or willingness to become proficient and pass agency certification for these skills within 1 year of hire.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with electronics, computer hardware and software systems, including the ability to troubleshoot issues while in the field, especially those specifically related to telemetry and data logging systems.
• Experience with ecological data analysis and scientific communication.
• Experience with plant identification (marsh and upland).
• Experience trailering and piloting vessels up to 28 feet, operating UTVs, and kayaks.

Pay:
The approved pay rate for this position is $17.00 per hour. Schedule is 40 hours/week, Monday – Friday usually 7:30-4:00, with occasional earlier start times required; occasional (<5% of the time) work outside this schedule is required but will not exceed 40 hours/week. Overtime is not approved for this position. There is no state income tax for residents of Florida. 

Benefits:

• 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.
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan). For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.

For more benefit information, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Location:
The position will reside at ANERR, located in Eastpoint, Florida, within Franklin County. The surrounding area is rural and dominated by a working waterfront. Eastpoint is a small community reliant on tourism and the fishing industry. It is located across the bay from the city of Apalachicola and St. George Island. ANERR’s offices are positioned directly on the coast of the St. George Sound and Apalachicola Bay. Less than 5% of a working day is required to travel to locations within the county to perform mission critical duties.