Job Description

Classification Title: Ast Dir, Research Admin
:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Florida LAKEWATCH field and extension operations, including supervision of all Regional Coordinators. The field team works with IFAS Extension Faculty to support stakeholders interested in aquatic resource management and grow LAKEWATCH volunteer involvement and participation. Relevant activities include (but are not limited to): training and recruiting volunteers, conducting or contributing to statewide regional meetings, overseeing the reoccurring LAKEWATCH newsletter, and sharing information and/or data to address community questions or concerns. Finally, this position will monitor the field teams\' success through regular meetings and evaluations,
• Manage all budgets, grants, and laboratory contracts, and the associated compliance requirements, spending approvals, and reporting for activities, relevant to the LAKEWATCH program,
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Florida LAKEWATCH water chemistry laboratory, including supervision of the laboratory manager and all chemists and technicians, ensuring data quality and safe working conditions. The lab analyzes over 40,000 samples per year for LAKEWATCH, in addition to other samples for on-going research projects. This position may also monitors the lab teams\' success through regular meetings and evaluations,
• Manage LAKEWATCH data generation, quality, preservation, and sharing with stakeholders and clients, including supervision of any database or related staff. This position works with those staff (as applicable) to ensure that the reporting and management procedures of LAKEWATCH laboratory data conform as closely as possible to Quality Assurance Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In collaboration with the Director and staff, this position also acts a liaison with these agencies and others interested in LAKEWATCH data. Finally, this position may monitor the data teams\' success through regular meetings and evaluations,
• Assist the Director with strategic and long-range goal planning for LAKEWATCH activities, and the development and implementation of administrative procedures affecting the program,
• Ensure that LAKEWATCH activities comply with all relevant university, state, and federal regulations and ensure safe, inclusive, and respectful work environments are maintained across the program,
• Support research activities relevant to the LAKEWATCH program. Research activities will incorporate emerging areas of environmental concern which may be guided, in part, by community questions expressed through the field operations discussed above,
• Support teaching and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as they arise,
• Other duties assigned by the LAKEWATCH Director, as needed,

desired start date is Nov 2023, or as negotiated

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with experience
Minimum Requirements:

Masters degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelors degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in limnology, ecology, chemistry, or a closely related field; OR
• A master\'s degree in one of the same fields plus 3+ years of relevant experience.

Desirable skills

• Significant experience managing teams of people, particularly in lab and/or field settings;
• Significant knowledge of limnological principles; basic knowledge of aquatic ecology and chemistry;
• Strong science communication skills, particularly to non-specialist audiences and stakeholders;
• Strong technical writing skills, including for both specialist and non-specialist audiences (e.g., the LAKEWATCH newsletters);
• Experience conducting scientific research, including but not limited to: data analysis, proposal and publication co-authorship, and scientific presentations;
• Strong organizational and project management skills;
• Experience working collaboratively with various sectors of science, including state, federal, or international governments;
• Familiarity working with sizable datasets, especially using the R programming language and/or a database software (e.g., Access, SQL).

Additional skills that would be considered an asset for this position

• Experience with peer-review publishing, preferably including one or more peer-reviewed publication with the applicant as the lead author;
• Knowledge of and experience working on Floridian freshwater ecosystems;
• Knowledge of invasive plant management strategies (e.g., herbicide application) and associated challenges;
• Experience working safely from boats and willingness to do some field work;
• Familiarity with working safely in an analytical lab and with advanced instrumentation;
• Familiarity with research on freshwater fisheries and food web ecology;
• An interest in teaching and mentoring activities with undergraduate or graduate students.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Health Assessment Required: No

Advertised: 21 Jul 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 18 Aug 2023 Eastern Daylight Time

University of Florida