FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77072937

Requisition No: 841608 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77072937

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072937 

Salary:  $40,000, annually 

Posting Closing Date: 12/22/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Freshwater Fisheries Biologist II

Career Service Position with Benefits

$40,000 Annually, $1,538.46 Biweekly

De Leon Springs Freshwater Fisheries Research Office

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
5450 U.S. Highway 17
De Leon Springs, FL 32130

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 bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; OR
A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:

Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university in Fisheries/Aquatic Sciences.
Experience sampling fish, habitat and water quality in freshwater ecosystems
Experience with Microsoft Office, R and R Studio, and/or ArcGIS
Experience extracting, processing and aging otoliths 

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:
Independently and cooperatively plan, direct, and participate in all aspects pertaining to freshwater fish population and community monitoring in the Middle St. Johns River Basin and other surrounding water bodies.  Duties include but are not limited to sportfish monitoring, fish community monitoring, and seasonal creel surveys.  Specific responsibilities associated with these duties include but are not limited to data collection for fish length frequency, age and growth, and/or other population parameters deemed necessary (e.g., fish condition, fishing mortality), data analysis, model development, description of findings in annual reports and oral presentations, publication of significant findings, and recommendations of management strategies.
Assist the research leader in developing, planning and executing field activities of lacustrine and riverine research studies and resource monitoring throughout the State of Florida.  Studies may include specific hypothesis testing of questions associated with fish populations, fish communities, or fish biology relating to stream ecology, resource assessment, invasion ecology and/or habitat assessment.  Responsibilities include measurement of physical and chemical water parameters, freshwater fish collections, and aquatic habitat assessment and measurement.  Assist with project data analysis, model development, description of findings in annual reports and oral presentations, publication of significant findings, and recommendations of management strategies.
Supervise OPS personnel as assigned and direct their efforts toward accomplishment of field and laboratory studies. Duties include but are not limited to recruitment, training, planning and directing work, reviewing performance with employee, and ensuring compliance with Commission and FWRI rules, policies, and procedures.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:  The biological sciences, including terminology, principles and techniques used in research and monitoring of freshwater fishes.  Data collection and analytical procedures for field and laboratory work and supervisory practices, principles and procedures.
 
Skill in:  The use of scientific laboratory and field equipment, and writing (both technical and popular articles and publications). 
Ability to:  Conduct scientific research using scientific methods and techniques; perform quantitative analysis of scientific data; prepare written reports; understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, principles and procedures used in personnel and budget administration; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; effectively supervise others, establish and maintain effective working relationships; safely operate vehicles, trailers and boats up to 22'; swim with sufficient skill to save oneself in the event of an emergency, work outdoors in adverse conditions and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
State of Florida employees 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. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.  As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.
Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly
No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance
Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year
4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrued Biweekly
Retirement Plan Options
State University and College Tuition Waiver Program
On the Job Trainings
Support for family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees.
Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons because we understand the importance of giving back to the community.

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.

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.