OPS Fish/Wildlife Technician - 77901921

Requisition No: 857494 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish/Wildlife Technician - 77901921

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77901921 

Salary:  $18.36/hour 

Posting Closing Date: 08/12/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (EAR)

OPS Laboratory Technician – OPS Position

$18.36 per hour

Wildlife Research Laboratory

Gainesville, FL

Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (EAR)

OPS Laboratory Technician - OPS 77901921

Gainesville, FL - $18.36 per hour

Our organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself.  The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

Minimum Qualifications:
A high school diploma and two years of post-high school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction is required. Vocational training or an associate’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction from an accredited school or college may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree

Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. 
Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume.  Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Wildlife Health group in the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking a highly organized full-time OPS Wildlife Health laboratory technician to assist with the day-to-day operation of the FWC’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) hotline and wildlife necropsy laboratory. Duties are variable but all support FWRI wildlife health research and disease surveillance and response in various species including white-tailed deer, carnivores, birds, and herps.

Job duties include:

   Answering the Wildlife Health Hotline, FWC Reporter App submissions and providing high-quality customer service by responding to information requests and thoroughly documenting details of wildlife morbidity/mortality reports from the public, FWC staff, and other stakeholders.

   Maintaining medical records and sample records.

   Maintaining specimen inventories (fixed and frozen tissues).

   Assist with sample cataloging and sample organization, especially of large archives/sample sets.

   Receive and re-archive unused samples returned from diagnostic labs.

   Keep detailed records of incoming and outgoing samples/carcasses.

   Shipping specimens to diagnostic laboratories following applicable shipping rules and regulations.

   Assisting with laboratory upkeep, and organization.

   Collecting postmortem samples from white-tailed deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing and entering associated data into Survey123.

   Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of

Basic knowledge of wildlife ecology, animal health/disease concepts

Methods of relevant field and laboratory data collection

General procedures, techniques and equipment used in biological laboratory testing and analysis.

Skills in

Use of personal computers, spreadsheet, and word processing software, particularly Microsoft Office products.

Basic laboratory skills including organization and cataloguing of laboratory materials and diagnostic specimens

Proper handling of chemicals; biosafety; adherence to protocols; data collection

Shipping of specimens per state/federal regulations

Excellent time management and organizational skills

Ability to

Understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

Perform detailed work accurately

Lift up to 40 lbs.

Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments with others

Communicate effectively verbally and in writing in order to provide excellent customer service to stakeholders

Establish and maintain effective working relationships

Maintain a valid driver’s license

Work effectively both independently and as a member of a team

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. 

Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan

On the Job Trainings

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.