Organization Name: South Florida Water Management District
Position Type: Job
Department: Everglades Systems Assessment Section
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Application Deadline: June 1, 2023
Opportunity Description:
Scientist Senior
Field Operations Center B374 West Palm Beach, FL3650BR
Job Description
The Everglades Systems Assessment Section of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is seeking a Senior Scientist to support efforts in the ecological management and restoration of Florida Bay and the southern Everglades. A primary responsibility will be to understand the influence of external drivers on the ecosystem function and biotic responses of estuarine and coastal faunal communities. The incumbent’s specific area of expertise is flexible, but individuals with research interests in aquatic ecology that link freshwater flows, climate change and ecosystem processes to faunal mediated biogeochemical cycles, species’ distributions, food web dynamics and community responses in wetland/estuarine ecosystems are especially encouraged to apply.
Through a combination of monitoring, research, and modeling, the Everglades Systems Assessment Section provides the ecological foundation for the management and restoration of freshwater flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay ecosystems. The position will be responsible for multiple duties in support of SFWMD priorities including the design and execution of empirical field studies, strengthening interpretation of existing data and research, statistically analyzing data, publishing work in peer-reviewed journals and technical publications, presenting scientific findings to a variety of audiences at meetings and conferences to help guide water management and Everglades restoration, and managing scientific studies and contracts. Additional roles might also include nutrient data analyses and management, interfacing with the SFWMD chemistry lab, the coordination of field studies, and other supporting roles.
The candidate will be expected to work closely with other scientists and restoration managers as part of broad multi-disciplinary teams both within the SFWMD and from external governmental agencies and universities, and to provide oversight and mentoring to junior staff. Field work is mostly conducted from boats or helicopters and involves working in remote wetlands and bays with exposure to a hot and humid environment.
The SFWMD is looking for candidates with strong skills in multivariate and/or spatial analyses and statistics (e.g., general linear models, mixed models, and model selection approaches such as AIC), and have experience designing and conducting empirical field studies related to wetland or estuarine faunal ecology. The ability to work well as part of a team and to clearly communicate science to multiple audiences including scientists, stakeholders, agency personnel and the District’s management team and governing board are essential. Knowledge of and experience working in tropical or subtropical estuarine systems are desirable.
Required Experience:
Education/Experience Guidelines:
Senior Scientist: Candidates must have a minimum of Masters’ Degree, Ph.D. preferred, in Natural or Physical Sciences, or related field and 6+ years’ experience of qualifying experience that demonstrates measurable career progression within scientific discipline that can be applied to this job description.
Scientist 4: Bachelor’s Degree, Masters’ preferred, in Natural or Physical Sciences and 4+ years of qualifying experience that demonstrates measurable career progression within scientific discipline that can be applied to support the District’s strategic goals and objectives. Licenses: A valid State of Florida Driver’s License is required. Physical Requirements/Working Environment: Ability to work in estuarine and wetland environments in South Florida. The candidate must be able to swim in coastal and estuarine environments. Ability to trailer and captain a small watercraft is preferred, but not required. Due to the District’s response role and in the total scope of emergency management, this position may at times, be required to provide support before, during and after major storm events and emergency situations, such as hurricanes or other declared emergencies, depending on assigned emergency response role.
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.
Benefits:
Salary Minimum: $59,966.40
Salary Midpoint: $71,281.60
Salary Maximum: $102,793.60
Additional Details/Disclosures:
Job Reference 3650BROrganizationWR4304352 Landscape Analysis – Southern EvergladesThe position is based in West Palm Beach, Florida. This position may be filled as a Scientist 4 or as a Senior Scientist based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
