FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77001091

Requisition No: 865998 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77001091

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001091 

Salary:  $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 12/28/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77001091

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,730.77 + benefits

Supervisor: Cade Chaney

Supervisor contact information for inquiries: 850-535-1335, Jain.Chaney@myfwc.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Position Location: 9550 NW 160th Street, Fanning Springs, FL 32693

Region: North Central

County: Levy

Working hours: Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm, with weekend and after-hours work occasionally required

List of any subordinates supervised: One full time Fish & Wildlife Technician

Residency Requirement: None

Agency information:

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.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section (WHM) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum Qualifications: A high school diploma and 6 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 6 years of required experience.

Additional requirements:

• Will be required to obtain and maintain a Florida Class E Driver’s License and Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Certification.
• Overnight travel associated with training and meeting events will be required.

Preferred qualifications: Prefer 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.

Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of wildlife biology, assessment and inventory of wildlife and habitat, collection and analysis of biological data.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration and management techniques, fire ecology, and plant succession.
• Training and experience in supervision and leadership.
• Ability to write, edit, and produce scientific reports and summaries. 
• Ability to serve as a prescribed burn team crew member and safely apply fire to vegetative communities. Successful Florida Prescribed Burn Manager certification and completion of FWC Certified Prescribed Burner Mentor Program is required.
• Ability to safely operate vehicles, ATVs, farm tractors, implements, heavy equipment, and trailers. 
• Knowledge of GIS software (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro) and handheld GPS units and their applications.
• Excellent organizational skills (time management, office organization, information management), customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in project management. 

• Ability to work well with minimal supervision, as well as participate effectively in teams.
• Ability to effectively supervise others.

Description of Duties:

• Serve as the Lead Area Biologist for planning, development, and implementation of management programs at Watermelon Pond Wildlife and Environmental Area. Also serve as the Cooperative Area Biologist for Goethe, Cedar Key Scrub, and Gulf Hammock Wildlife Management Areas in cooperation with the lead agencies.
• Plan and implement effective and cost-efficient habitat management practices, such as prescribed burning, upland and wetland restoration, mechanical and chemical vegetation treatments, and other projects.
• Plan, develop, and coordinate projects to facilitate public use, such as road construction and maintenance, establishment of parking areas, culvert installation and repair, and construction and maintenance of boundary and interior fences and gates. 
• Develop and oversee budgets, bid specifications and contracts, and monitor vendor compliance.
• Complete annual work plans, budget proposals, performance reports, accomplishment reports, and other administrative tasks. 
• Coordinate public hunting and other recreational activities.
• Design and conduct population surveys of selected species using scientifically accepted techniques, including data analysis and report writing. 
• Survey habitat types and monitor changes that take place in vegetative communities.
• Provide technical assistance and presentations to individuals, organizations and other agencies regarding wildlife biology and wildlife habitat management.
• Propose regulations based on sound biological and sociological principles.
• Participate in seminars and workshops relating to wildlife resource management.
• Respond to nuisance bear complaints, reports of road killed bears, and other wildlife issues within assigned area.
• Complete other duties and assist on other areas as assigned.

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.