Title: Aquatic Invertebrate Program Assistant
Requisition Id: 3483
Hourly Pay Rate: $19.45
Hourly Pay Grade: H6
Expected Work Schedule: 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday. Occasional field travel required.
Job Location: Central Reg Office & Research Ctr (COLUM2)
Closing Date: October 4, 2024
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, Cheyenne E L Stratton , at Cheyenne.Stratton@mdc.mo.gov or call 573 8157901 , Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.
Summary/Objective
This position will assist MDC's Aquatic Invertebrate Program with ongoing research and monitoring of Missouri's crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. Job duties will primarily be related to the collection, management, and reporting of biological data. Please upload a cover letter, resume, and three references to be considered for this position.
Essential Job Duties
- Conduct research on crayfish and aquatic invertebrate populations by collecting information, processing samples, analyzing data, and providing this information to stakeholders in written and oral forms.
- Serve as crew leader for field activities and coordinate sampling and data collection.
- Coordinate and train technicians in the identification of crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates and sampling methods; collection of habitat and water quality data; genetic sample acquisition; and gear maintenance.
- Maintain the accuracy and availability to information in various databases.
- Provide scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
- Perform general maintenance on tools and equipment.
- Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
- Duties will include work in the field, laboratory, and office.
- Occasional field trips and overnight travel are required.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Science, Fisheries, Biological Sciences, or related field.
- One or more years of field season experience with fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, taxonomic identification and laboratory processing of samples is highly desirable.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
- Ability to pass an approved boating safety course and obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card within 6 months of employment.
- Experience summarizing and analyzing datasets and communicating findings, highly desired.
- Experience supervising desired.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and ArcGIS desired.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to work independently and make decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
- Ability to operate boats, outboard motors, and commonly used sampling gear for fishes and macroinvertebrates.
- Ability to work irregular hours and weekends with the possibility of extended travel time during seasonal sampling periods.
- Ability to accurately identify crayfish and other aquatic macroinvertebrates using taxonomic keys and other aids.
- Ability to swim and safely operate personal watercraft (canoes, kayaks) on streams.
- Ability to adapt to a variety of job situations involving long hours, hazardous conditions and difficult circumstances.
- Ability to establish an effective working relationship with Department employees, Extension Agents, educational professionals, and community leaders.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and ensure data QAQC with attention to detail.
- Ability to safely sample aquatic macroinvertebrates in multiple habitat types including streams, wetlands, and caves and operate commonly used sampling gear.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Regularly lift up to 30 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Columbia Missouri