OPS F& W BS II - 77902282

Requisition No: 843443 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F& W BS II - 77902282

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902282 

Salary:  $20.83 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 02/16/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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

Position number – 77902282

Address and telephone number – 1920 NE 100th Street Road, Branford FL 32008

Supervisor & Position number – Rebecca Doane, 77072922

Phone: (386) 754-1668 [office]

Description of duties:

This engaging and versatile wildlife biologist position serves as the Regional Inventory and Monitoring Biologist within the Wildlife and Habitat Management (WHM) section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and is primarily responsible for utilizing field survey techniques to document and inventory the wildlife species that occur on the wildlife management areas (WMAs) in northern peninsular Florida. This position has both the opportunity to conduct proven field monitoring methods and the creative authority to apply innovative techniques to monitor all wildlife taxa groups (avian, mammal, reptile, amphibian) on the public land system in northern Florida.

This position is largely field based, with work sites located in many diverse, pristine, and remote natural areas across 17 counties in the FWC’s North Central Region. The office location for this position is flexible with options available in either Fort White or Lake City, FL (nearest major market: Gainesville).

A competitive applicant for this position will have a basic understanding of wildlife population monitoring and survey techniques, wildlife taxonomy, and skills in species identification. They will be responsible for collecting data to develop and enhance the species lists of common wildlife as well as rare, cryptic, fossorial, and nocturnal species. They will be charged with trapping and handling wildlife responsibly, performing early-morning surveys, and working both independently and safely in remote natural areas.

Following wildlife research and data collection protocols, the incumbent biologist will utilize GIS applications for data entry and database management. They will also be responsible for analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing accrued datasets to author technical reports and public-facing documents.

The incumbent will gain valuable experience and training in techniques to manage land and habitats for wildlife, such as prescribed fire application and herbicide treatments. This position will serve an important role as a burn crew member during prescribed fire operations.

Training, continuing education, and certificate courses are sponsored by FWC and available to the biologist in this position as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to operate independently to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines.
• Skills in effective communication to provide clear and timely updates to colleagues and management.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to natural resource conservation.
• Ability to work safely under adverse field conditions without direct supervision (extreme temperatures, high humidity, biting insects, and other hazards).
• Work experience in surveying, monitoring, and data collection of wildlife vertebrate taxa, particularly reptile, amphibian, avian, and mammal species.
• Development and execution of population surveys and monitoring projects, habitat management activities, and other conservation activities for Florida terrestrial fauna.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Florida’s native wildlife and fish species, ecology, and natural communities.
• Ability to identify amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals in a field environment.
• Technical and scientific report writing experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook Calendar, PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online and its application to land management activities and wildlife/plant surveys.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the hiring supervisor with any questions at: Rebecca Doane  at (386) 754-1668 [office]

Additional requirements:

Employee is allowed to work a maximum of 1,920 hours per fiscal year (prorated based upon hiring date).

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.

Applicant must be able to lift at least 40 lbs.

Minimal overnight travel, occasional late nights, and frequent early mornings.

Starting pay rate: $ 20.83 /hr

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 your family’s needs while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions.

Health Premiums $25.00- Single Biweekly / $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/.

Broadband code: 19-1023-02

Class code: 5028

Region: North Central

Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II

County: Columbia or Gilchrist

Working hours:  Mon. - Fri. 8am-5pm with occasional nights and weekends

List of any subordinates supervised:  none

Residency requirement: none

Level of Education :Preferred Bachelor of Science degree with a major in a physical or life science or a Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences. Four years of directly related professional experience can substitute for the Bachelor of Science degree.

Employee must obtain and maintain a valid Florida Class E Driver’s License.

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.