FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77000746

Requisition No: 825489 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77000746

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000746 

Salary:  $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 05/05/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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

Position number: 77000746

Location: 20105 County Road 833, Clewiston, FL 33440, Phone (863) 902-3349

Supervisor: Ryder Hochmuth 

Description of duties: The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices.  This position is in the Wildlife Habitat Management Section.  

Seeking a highly motivated biologist to lead a variety of wildlife and habitat management projects on the newly acquired Caracara Unit of the Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Primary responsibilities include identifying, planning, and implementing effective projects consistent with the management plan for the WMA; developing and implementing annual budgets and work plans; ensuring equipment and infrastructure is properly maintained; providing oversight and participating in hydrologic and vegetative restoration projects; preparing for and conducting wildlife surveys; supporting and conducting public hunts on the WMA, as well as the Stormwater Treatment Area(s) as needed; developing and promoting non-hunting recreational use; and maintaining land management and wildlife survey databases using ArcGIS. The biologist will work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish activities such as prescribed burning. The incumbent will attend regional and divisional meetings as well as trainings as necessary.

About the WMA: Dinner Island Ranch WMA is in the heart of old South Florida between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. The 17,251-acre Caracara Unit is home to a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, Florida panther, Florida black bear, bobcat, crested caracara, and American alligator. The habitat is composed of freshwater marshes, mesic hammocks, cypress dome swamps, pine flatwoods, and pasture. Prescribed burning and nonnative plant control are two of the primary tools used to manage and improve the property for wildlife.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of Florida ecosystems and natural processes, wildlife ecology, ecosystem management, water management, fire ecology and plant succession. Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of habitat management and restoration, including prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical vegetation control, and nonnative plant control. Wildlife habitat survey and inventory knowledge; ability to collect and analyze biological data. Ability to track spending and monitor budgets. Ability to create scientific reports free of grammatical and typographical errors. Ability to interact with stakeholders, co-workers, and cooperating agencies in a professional manner. Knowledge of hunting as a wildlife management tool. Familiarity with infrastructure development and maintenance. Familiarity with outdoor recreational activities and the facilities needed to support them. Proficiency with typical Windows applications and ArcGIS. Ability to effectively supervise staff. Well-organized, able to communicate effectively, and able to supervise and delegate tasks effectively. Ability to oversee multiple projects and set priorities. Incumbent must possess the initiative, motivation, and self-direction necessary to work productively independently as well as function as a member of a team. Ability to work outside under inclement weather conditions and operate specialized equipment (e.g., swamp buggy, ATV, UTV, tractor).

Preferred Qualifications: At least 1 year of experience in habitat and/or wildlife management. Strong familiarity with both native and exotic vegetation in South Florida, experience with habitat restoration work, wildlife surveys, and prescribed burning. 

Broadband code: 19-1023-03

Class code: 5074

Region: South

Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

County: Hendry County

Working hours: 8-5 M-F, evening and weekends as required.

List of any subordinates supervised: May supervise seasonal and career service employees.

Education/Experience requirement: Prefer a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the biological sciences preferred, or at least four years of direct experience with the duties of this position.

Other requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Must possess and maintain a valid minimum Class E State of Florida driver’s license. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Salary: $1,730.77 bi-weekly + benefits

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.