OPS- Biological Scientist III - 77905014

Requisition No: 876743 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS- Biological Scientist III - 77905014

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77905014 

Salary:  $21.63 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 06/14/2026 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77905014

Position Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Anticipated Vacancy

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $21.63/hour

Supervisor: Cheryl Spencer for inquiries: Cheryl.Spencer@MyFWC.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Position location: 7373 U.S. Hwy 331 S., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

Region: Northwest

County: Walton

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8am-5pm M-F with some night and weekend work

List of any subordinates supervised: 3 to 5 Contractors

Residency Requirement: Within 40 miles of DeFuniak Springs Office

Agency information: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (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 is 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. The FWC has six Divisions, including the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six sections and two offices. This is an opportunity to join the Imperiled Species Management Section.

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and six years of professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the six years of experience. 

Preferred qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, or other natural resources field, two or more years of experience working with wildlife, preferably human-wildlife conflicts. Experience with trapping and handling wildlife, preferably bears. Experience working with stakeholder groups. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge, skill and ability to design, coordinate, implement and evaluate a variety of effective human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies and techniques.
• Ability to work well as part of a team to accomplish tasks.
• Skilled in effective verbal and written communication to provide clear, timely, and effective updates to supervisor.
• Ability to manage high stress situations in a calm, organized, and professional manner.
• Ability to engage with stakeholders for effective conservation and management efforts.
• Ability to present to large and small groups with various educational backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently to plan, coordinate, and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to represent agency viewpoint without personal conflicts.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, mechanical winch, bear trap, dart rifle, and shotgun, as well as safely pull trailers.
• Ability to be trained to use chemical immobilization methods and handle all aspects required to maintain a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.
• Skilled at collecting and entering field data in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work in harsh outdoor conditions in high heat and humidity carrying heavy loads and exposed to biting insects and venomous snakes.
• Ability to work in a highly adaptive environment. 
• Ability to work well with a variety of personalities and with persons of varied levels of wildlife conservation understanding.
• Skilled in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, and data management.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, with potential night, weekend, and/or holiday work hours.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines;
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and good time management skills.   

Additional requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. A valid driver’s license and the ability to participate in limited statewide travel is required.

Description of Duties: An Area Bear Biologist will be hired to provide human-bear conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement inthe western panhandle of Florida. This position is one of four Area Bear Biologists located in key locations across the state. The position will work as part of a team with staff from other Sections and Divisions to respond to public requests for assistance with human-bear conflicts, which will include site visits to provide technical assistance and assess causes of conflicts, trapping, immobilizing and either relocating or euthanizing bears, and retrieving biological information from and disposing of carcasses of dead bears. The position will coordinate the activities of multiple Bear Response Contractors, manage a bear deterrent loaner equipment program for the public, manage bear traps and other equipment for agency use, and enter field data on bears collected in their area of responsibility into an agency-wide online wildlife database. The position will actively seek out and provide outreach opportunities to partner agencies, local governments, businesses, and residents at public events, meetings, schools, and other venues and maintain communications and relationships with local stakeholders. The position will assist in the implementation of many strategies outlined in the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan for their area of responsibility. 

How to Apply: In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/), applicants are required to submit a current cover letter expressing their interest in the position and resume highlighting their qualifications. Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System. Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

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.