Lab Manager - Institute of Environment; Biscayne Bay Campus

Overview

About FIU Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law.

FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and Mac Arthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

Job Summary Serves as a Crew Chief for field work conducting biological field research in the Florida Everglades. Samples fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates and identify aquatic plants to species in the field. Works in the laboratory cleaning and preparing fish and macroinvertebrate samples for analysis, identifying fish and macroinvertebrates, entering data into spreadsheets, and creating data summaries using computer software. Oversees other personnel under field conditions and is responsible for safety of crew by interpreting weather conditions and determining when safe field operations are possible.

• Performs research work in outdoor settings in South Florida; wading in Everglades habitats to collect environmental samples and specimens.
• Manages the day to day field laboratory operations. Organizes and executes ecological field sampling program in the Everglades. Processes samples of fish and macroinvertebrates from the Everglades. Maintains information in the database. Prepares summary of statistical analysis, and assists in writing reports.
• Maintains database of aquatic animal data and assures the transfer of laboratory data to the funding agencies
• Applies for and maintains adherence to all research and collecting permits and other contracting requirements.
• Coordinates all departmental lab crew chiefs and works with the laboratory manager to assure field vehicles and boats are reserved in advance of work.
• Oversees all electrofishing work for the lab. Supervises, Trains and monitor. Other crews for safe operation of boat-mounted electrofishing unit.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position
• Serves as the liaison between the PI and lab technicians to find out the status of research assignments and assure all staff are compliant with training requirements and, when necessary, get training in a timely fashion.
• Provide periodic assessments of work quality by field crew staff to the laboratory supervisor. Provides recommendation on operational lab procedures. Ensures IACUC and Environmental Health and Safety compliance.
• Meets with field crews at the boat yard at the beginning of field days to assure they are departing on time and to the assigned study sites.
• Works off-normal hours to assist with emergency situations and act in search and rescue capacity if a lab field crew is stranded in a remote place and needs to be extracted.
• Meets with post-doctoral research associates and the PI to make long-term plans for staff assignments and implementing those plans.
• Works closely with field crews in carrying out research plan. Participates in and supervises sample processing, data entry, and QA/QC
• Performs essential duties in emergencies such as hurricanes, storms, and/or any other university emergency closing. Employee is expected to be available to report to work as needed during university emergency closing with appropriate notification from a department administrator

• High school diploma and seven (7) years of related experience or Associate's and five (5) years of related experience.

• Degree in biology, marine biology,…