Lab & Research Specialist II at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia

Job Description:

Position Number:

00590V

Position Title:

Lab & Research Specialist II

Employment Category:

Full Time Operational

Location:

VIMS - Gloucester

Department:

1P1100 Coastal & Ocean Processes

Unit Mission Statement:

The mission of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service.


VIMS' strategic sections are committed to the development of resilient systems through a focus on three grand challenges, ensuring science for stewardship of:


1. Ecosystem Health: connecting physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic systems to address environmental and community vulnerabilities
2. Natural Resources: providing translational science for sustainable management of coastal socio-ecological systems, especially fisheries and aquaculture
3. Coastal and Ocean Processes: connecting global trends and local drivers to understand and address environmental change.

Position Summary:

The Laboratory & Research Specialist II is part of the SAV program in the Seagrass Restoration and Field Monitoring component, which includes execution and management of grant and state-funded research projects under the direction of senior staff.Core Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Participates with field work in various parts of the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Eastern Shore, including collections of flowering shoots, distribution of seeds, seedling establishment surveys, faunal surveys, biological data, and maintenance of hydrographic data loggers.


• Assists with processing seagrass and invertebrate samples, seed storage and processing, and laboratory experiments as needed.


• Assists as needed with collection of seagrass epifauna samples, seagrass samples, biomass and core samples, trawl and seine samples, water samples, and seed samples.


• Enters, curates, and manages data for various projects with appropriate QA/QC.

Conditions of Employment:

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, and University policy.


• This position may be subject to over-time during high peak times as preapproved by supervisor.


• This position requires the ability to perform in the field and on the water in various weather conditions.

Essential Designation:

No

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Position Restricted?:

Yes, the appointment is limited due to funding availability

Position Term:

12 month - Continuing

Position Months:

Faculty or Staff: 12 month

Required Qualifications:

EDUCATION:

• BS/BA in biology or marine science or related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of aquatic ecosystems research.


• Knowledge of lab and field sample collection and processing techniques and ability to adhere to detailed safety and experimental protocols.


• Ability to perform comfortably in the field and on the water in all weather conditions.


• Experience working on and around small vessels.


• Familiarity with snorkeling with the ability to snorkel comfortably in a wet suit.


• Proficiency in a variety of software applications to include MS Office Suite, with strong data management skills.


• Effective interpersonal and oral and written communication skills with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working in aquatic science program performing scientific sample processing.


• Experience conducting laboratory and field research.


• Experience participating in field work on the water.


• Experience with data analysis and producing figures.

Preferred Qualifications:

EDUCATION:

• A master's degree in biology, preferably in Aquatic or Marine Science or a closely related field.


• Boating Safety Course or similar certification


• SCUBA certified

COMPETENCIES:

• Demonstrated skills in microscopy with the ability to process and record data.


• Knowledge of invertebrate taxonomy with the ability to use dichotomous keys.


• Atlantic coast seagrass species identification.


• Extensive knowledge of Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Eastern Shore ecosystem ecology including flora and fauna is highly preferred.


• Knowledge of maintaining and monitoring seawater systems (e.g. water tables, tanks, aeration).


• Demonstrated skills in sonde (YSI, exo, etc) calibration, deployment, and maintenance.


• Familiarity with operating small vessels including trailering and launching.


• Strong skills in data management.


• Faunal sampling including bag seines, and small trawls.


• Estuarine fish identification in the field.


• Coding and data analysis in R using R Studio and modern data management libraries (e.g tidyverse, dplyr)

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working on the water in estuarine and marine waters of Virginia.


• Experiment conducting SAV surveys for identification and coverage estimation.

Is the position remote work eligible?:

Not eligible

Remote Work Disclaimer:

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

Advertised Pay Range:

up to $45,000

Advertised Pay Range Statement:

All hiring rates are commensurate with relevant experience up to the advertised amount considering internal alignment.

University Salary Range:

U05

Benefits Summary Statement:

William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).


Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more. To learn more, go to: https://www.wm.edu/offices/uhr/benefits/index.php?type=none

Job Open Date:

12/19/2024

Review Begin Date:

01/13/2025

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Background Check Statement:

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement:

William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

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