SCIENCE TECHNICIAN 3 - South Florida Water Management District
West Palm Beach, FL
About the Job
Technical position that supports monitoring programs throughout the District's geographic area by collecting manual and electronic water quality, ecological, and/or biological samples, following the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Standard Operating Procedures.
Required experience includes: water quality and/or environmental sample collection; the use of a PC and software; and working/sampling from boats. Experience operating airboats and powerboats, as well as sampling from helicopters is preferred. In addition, this position is responsible for: critically observing and comprehensively documenting field conditions which could affect the quality of the samples and/or data collected from the site; deploying, maintaining and repairing related instrumentation and equipment; obtaining coordinates of monitoring sites using GPS and software; and performing emergency support duties in the field.
This position may be filled at the Science Technician 2 level due to the education and experience of the candidate.
Education/Experience Requirements:
Associate Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and at least four (4) years of experience in scientific support, preferably water quality data collection. Alternately, a Bachelors Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and at least two (2) years of experience in scientific support work is also acceptable.
Science Technician 2:
Associate Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and at least two (2) years of experience in scientific support, preferably water quality data collection. Alternately, a Bachelors Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and 0 - 2 years of experience in scientific support work is also acceptable.
Associate Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and at least four (4) years of experience in scientific support, preferably water quality data collection. Alternately, a Bachelors Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and at least two (2) years of experience in scientific support work is also acceptable.
Science Technician 2:
Associate Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and at least two (2) years of experience in scientific support, preferably water quality data collection. Alternately, a Bachelors Degree in Natural or Physical Science or related field and 0 - 2 years of experience in scientific support work is also acceptable.
Physical Requirements/Working Environment:
Candidate must be capable of performing fieldwork under hot humid wet conditions in areas occupied by animals such as alligators, snakes, and stinging/biting insects. Candidates must be able to:
Candidate must be capable of performing fieldwork under hot humid wet conditions in areas occupied by animals such as alligators, snakes, and stinging/biting insects. Candidates must be able to:
- Work a schedule of four, 10-hour days, with the majority of time spent in remote areas.
- Must be able to throw, pull, push, and lift various water quality sampling equipment.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds up to a distance of 200 feet.
- Must be able to team lift and carry up to 80 pounds up to a distance of 200 feet.
- Required to drive and/or ride in and frequently disembark from 4wd pickup truck or SUV. Drive time for trips can be up to 2.5 hours each way. Once sampling begins on a trip there is frequent embarking/disembarking into and out of vehicle.
- Required to drive and/or ride in 4wd pickup truck or SUV for long distances on unpaved or unconsolidated surfaces such as dirt roads and levees.
- Required to ride, work from, and/or pilot boats or airboats.
- Must be able to swim.
- Required to ride in and disembark from helicopters to access stations.
- Required for helicopter sampling must be able to:
- Climb and or lift self on and off the helicopter pontoons;
- Traverse the marsh while wearing chest waders in water varying in depth from mid-calf to chest deep;
- Traverse deep mud within the marsh wearing “mudders” regardless of water depth.
- Must be able to safely perform all assigned job duties, including in areas that may be unpaved, with unconsolidated and/or unleveled surfaces, such as levees and canal banking. May include walking or working on a mild to steeply sloped unconsolidated surface.
License:
Valid State of Florida Driver’s License is required.
Valid State of Florida Driver’s License is required.
Veterans’ Preference: Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for vacancies and are encouraged to apply. 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. All documentation is due by the close of the job posting.
Source : South Florida Water Management District