SCIENTIST LEAD

Looking for an exciting opportunity to apply your education, knowledge, and experience to restore the Everglades?

The South Florida Water Management District’s Stormwater Treatment Section is seeking a Lead Scientist to support efforts in the management and optimization of the District’s Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) wetlands. The position requires a background in Freshwater Wetland Ecology with a strong emphasis on wetland biogeochemistry and soil science. 

The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening our interpretation of existing data and research, managing scientific studies related to STA performance to remove phosphorus from water flowing through the wetlands, evaluating water quality and coordinating operations in the STAs, evaluating alternative nutrient treatment technologies, providing critical technical review of scientific reports, and analyzing data for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Major responsibilities include evaluating currently available data, statistical analysis, report writing, and designing and executing research projects. The incumbent will be expected to work closely with other scientists to integrate their work into a broader ecological assessment of STA performance and management. The work will require statistical analysis and synthesis of data, assistance with ecological model development, publication of findings in peer-reviewed journal articles, and presentation of scientific information at meetings and workshops. Previous experience mentoring junior staff with technical writing, scientific presentations, study design, and/or adaptive management of wetlands is highly desirable.  The position also provides technical support and review of wetland science, water quality, monitoring design and optimizations, and external assessments. The successful candidate will be expected to coordinate with technical staff from other sections of the District and other state and federal agencies on wetland science.

This seasoned Scientist position is responsible for delivering high caliber scientific services and expertise that support often novel, complex, and ambiguous assignments entailing investigation of many variables and alternatives, and requiring application of advanced or innovative methods, tools and techniques to solve highly complex technical problems. The incumbent must exhibit versatility in a dynamic environment and unstructured situations. The incumbent will function as a principal investigator for several scientific studies that aim to develop a better understanding of the complex biogeochemical relationships present in managed wetland ecosystems that lead to their ability to remove phosphorus from inflowing waters to low levels, (13-19 micrograms per liter).

Field work is mostly conducted from airboats and involves working in remote and heavily vegetated areas with exposure to a hot and humid environment and potential exposure to or encounter with stinging/biting insects, snakes, and alligators. Experience working in remote wetland environments is critical and experience operating airboats is preferred. Basic water skills and the ability to lift up to 40 pounds may be required. Ability to follow standard procedures and some scientific data analysis experience are also critical for the position. 

This position may be filled at the Senior Scientist level.

Employment Guidelines:

Lead Scientist:  Masters' Degree, Ph.D. preferred, in Natural or Physical Sciences, or related field and 8+ years’ experience that demonstrates measurable career progression within scientific discipline that can be applied to support the District's strategic goals and objectives. Experience in tropical/subtropical environments, especially south Florida preferred.

Senior Scientist:  Masters' Degree, Ph.D. preferred, in Natural or Physical Sciences, or related field and 6+ years’ experience that demonstrates measurable career progression within scientific discipline that can be applied to support the District's strategic goals and objectives. Experience in tropical/subtropical environments, especially south Florida preferred.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

License(s) / Certification(s):
Valid State of Florida Driver's License required.
Professional Wetland Scientist and/or Professional Soil Scientist certifications desirable.

Physical Requirements/ Working Environment:
The work environment is a combination of office work and some field work with regular exposure to a hot and humid environment in remote and heavily vegetated areas, with exposure to stinging/biting insects, snakes, and alligators.  May be required to lift up to 40 lbs.

Additional physical abilities include agility, balancing, basic water skills and ability to swim, driving vehicles, kneeling, moving/transporting equipment on airboats, walking through rough terrain, working in, on, or near water are preferred.

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.