| Job Description: |
- Management of Stranding Calls
o Respond to marine mammal and sea turtle stranding calls, texts and e-mails including those from the public, local volunteers, local law enforcement or FWC regarding possible ill, injured, or deceased marine mammals and sea turtles.
Incumbent is trained to function as part of a team depending on the event and independently lead the response team regarding rapid communication, follow-up, and initial response with FWC and when appropriate with NMFS. The level of communication on site and coordination may differ with carcasses and live animal. Live animals require additional coordination by the incumbent in the decision-making process with the federal agencies, involved partners and supervisors involved. Timely management of communication and event management is the responsibility of the incumbent and required between both biologist and supervisor to better respond to all levels of live events such as mass strandings or unusual mortality events to properly place effort and resources. Independent decision making and innovation on site will be required and encouraged though events with potential safety outcomes for people or animals should be discussed immediately by phone whenever possible as part of the education process.
o Manage verification of a marine mammal or sea turtle carcass in Levy, Dixie and Taylor counties, carcass recovery of marine mammals for transport to FWC, along with carcass field necropsy organization and execution on site for cetaceans, manatees, and sea turtles or if needed transport to UF if determined by the PI.
o Record and disperse findings on designated reports required on each species to appropriate records, and uploading data report findings to appropriate web sites as required.
o Verification, monitoring, rescuing distressed live animals in Levy, Dixie and Taylor counties.
o Coordinate communication between PI or program coordinator, veterinary response personnel, FWC and NMFS for appropriate live animal response. Coordinate initial response and maintain contact with updates to all responsible parties as appropriate.
o Manage the assembly of a rapid response to stabilize the animals along with assembly management for volunteers and responders to assist where needed.
o Manage and arrange transport of live animals to appropriate facilitators.
o Assist veterinary responders in treatments, stabilization, and transport coordination
o Manage drone use to assist in the search, determination of body condition and the rescue of marine species where allowed by local regulations along with federal and state regulations.
- Enhance the building of relationships and contacts in the local public in the 3 counties to grow partnerships and cooperation with the program.
o Maintain UF MAR stranding hotline phone, alternating weekend calls with the other stranding biologist and other personnel as needed
o Develop and maintain the program’s public outreach presence including a monthly newsletter.
o SBII will initiate, coordinate, and design/develop local meetings with public, local governments, marina, fishing captains, schools and local businesses as needed.
- Manage archiving of tissues and guide the use of database applications for all samples and marine mammal parts in conjunction with NMFS, USFWS, and FWC permitting regulations.
• Contribute to data collection to meet standards of NMFS, NFWF, FWC
• Enter required data for NMFS and NFWF into program data base
• Maintain program data base of case, photos, and activities of the program
- Lead response with vessel-based operations, when requested by NMFS or FWC, to assist with statewide activities related to manatees or cetaceans.
o Assist in cetacean disentanglement events outside of assigned area in Florida. may assist individual program partners such as CMA, GulfWorld, UF Aquatic Animal Health program, Cedar Key Dolphin Project (dolphin population studies) and the UF|IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station.
o Assist in wild health assessments of manatees and cetaceans where requested
- Supervise maintenance of equipment, vehicles, vessel, and trailers with regular service and repair including required fuel and maintenance logs for vehicle usage. May need to drive large truck and boat trailer depending on calls received.
- Compile quarterly grant reports to NFWF
o Assist in budgetary management of the program with the PI
o Review and edit documents related to the program
o Grant writing participation with the program director
- Develop training protocol for new staff to include
o Boat use and trailering capability
o Drone applications and coordination
o Familiarize and develop SBI relationships with partners, public and agencies
o Assign components of reporting programs to familiarize the SBI when not available or out of office
o Assist in training the SBI position in acquisition of skills needed and inclusion with the program partners
|
| Preferred Qualifications: |
1. 3 years’ experience with stranding work (cetaceans, manatees, and sea turtles) which can include aquatic species population studies
2. Team based work ethic and leadership capabilities
3. Interpersonal skills to foster and maintain a professional network of partners, volunteers, and supporters
4. CPR and first aid certifications
5. Experience with dolphin photo ID
6. Working knowledge of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act
7. Knowledge of hazardous waste disposal
8. Computer skills with data management:
9. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related software programs, preferably including Microsoft Access
10. Use of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
11. Acquire FAA drone certification after hiring within one year.
12. Complete University required training including, but not limited to: PPE, hazardous and biological waste training, animal exposure, etc.
13. HAZMAT training
14. Obtain boat captain’s license within 2 years of hire.
|