Freshwater Mussel Propagation Specialist

The Division of Ecological and Water Resources is seeking to hire a permanent Freshwater Mussel Propagation Specialist, located in Lake City. This position exists to assist the Mussel Propagation Team with care of native freshwater mussels and fish, aquarium system and pond maintenance, and mussel propagation activities in laboratory and pond settings. This position will also assist the Mussel Propagation Team in reintroduction of juvenile mussels in several watersheds, monitoring the success of past mussel reintroduction efforts, and supporting the growth of the mussel propagation program.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with care of brood mussels and host-fishes, including set up and maintenance of laboratory aquarium systems and ponds, water quality monitoring, feeding, glochidia extraction, and inoculation of fish hosts.
• Assist with care of juvenile mussels in the laboratory and ponds, including maintaining water quality; feeding; collecting and enumerating newly metamorphosed juvenile mussels under a microscope for extended periods of time; maintaining juvenile culture systems; monitoring juvenile mussel health, survival, and growth.
• Assist with placing juveniles in secondary grow-out locations, mussel reintroductions, evaluating the success of past mussel reintroduction efforts, and identifying future mussel reintroduction locations.
• Assist in preparing and summarizing mussel propagation and survey data so that the results of mussel propagation and survey efforts are organized and available to use in planning future efforts and in dissemination to others.

This position requires the ability to conduct surveys in rugged, uneven terrain, under adverse weather and other environmental conditions.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a full or part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, conservation biology, fisheries, or related field.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the biology and ecology of aquatic ecosystems, including a working knowledge of native freshwater mussel natural history.
• Experience with: A) aquaculture or propagation systems relating to fishes or freshwater mussels or B) conducting field surveys for freshwater mussels, fish, or other aquatic invertebrates.
• Basic knowledge of standard field survey and monitoring techniques for aquatic organisms.
• Experience in the use of Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS), Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint software is required.
• Ability to acquire Open Water Diver certification in SCUBA within 6 months of hire.
• Communication skills sufficient to communicate technical and non-technical information.
• The employee must be able to interact comfortably with individuals from diverse backgrounds and under a variety of situations.
• Willingness to be flexible for propagation facility coverage on weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, ecology, conservation biology, fisheries, or related
• At least one year experience with techniques for propagating and rearing of freshwater mussels or freshwater fishes.
• At least one year of experience with conducting field surveys for freshwater mussels, fish, or other aquatic invertebrates.
• Experience enumerating and identifying small organisms with the use of a microscope and using image software to document growth and survival.
• Experience maintaining fish aquaria, fish health, and growing large quantities of native
• Thorough knowledge of geographic information systems, ArcMap 10 in particular.
• Current Open Water Diver certification in SCUBA.
• Ability to operate and maintain equipment used for aquaculture (pumps manual and power tools).
• Experience with operating and trailering motorized watercraft. Basic knowledge of data collection including statistical analysis, summarization, and report preparation.