Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77000164

Requisition No: 847440 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77000164

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000164 

Salary:  $1,346.15 bi-weekly ($35,000 annually) 

Posting Closing Date: 03/24/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Title: Fish & Wildlife Technician

Position number: 77000164

Position Location: 100 CR 832 Felda, FL 33930

Phone: (863) 612-0775

Starting pay rate: $1,346.15 bi-weekly ($35,000 annually) + benefits.

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.

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

        The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join a team of biologists and technicians on the Okaloacoochee (OK) Slough Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hendry County, FL. This position serves as a full-time, field-oriented Fish & Wildlife Technician on a team to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of wildlife and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors.

        This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of various equipment including trucks, ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, tractors and their implements, front end loaders, trailers, mowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. The incumbent must be able to troubleshoot equipment failure issues and follow manufacturer's recommendations for periodic preventative maintenance and fabricate and repair equipment including minor motor repairs and small engine repairs utilizing welders, cutting torches, and other various hand/air tools.

        The incumbent will assist biologists with various land management activities including prescribed burning, installing firebreaks, mowing, and chemical and mechanical control of invasive plants. Additionally, this position is responsible for infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair, including barbed wire fences, buildings, gates, roads, and signs, and performing custodial functions. The incumbent will prepare and submit accurate documents such as timesheets and equipment use reports. The incumbent will assist with the operation of hunter check stations on the WMA to collect biological data of hunter harvested game. The incumbent will interact with partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules, and regulations.

        The position will regularly work independently in the field. This position will also work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning and managing waterfowl hunts at the Stormwater Treatment Areas. The successful candidate must occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings and various trainings and assist on other management areas as needed

        Applicants with a valid Class A CDL and S-130/S-190 wildland fire certifications preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Able to operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and associated implements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments.
• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities.
• Skilled in construction activities including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding.
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control.
• Ability to identify areas of need and improvement in the work environment and come up with creative and effective solutions.
• Ability to navigate using GPS units in the field.
• Basic use of personal computers (including Microsoft Office).
• Ability to work outdoors under harsh conditions (e.g., heat, rain, biting insects, rough terrain).
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds.
• Strong work ethic in support of goals and objectives in managing the area, including good communication skills with team members, staff, and diverse public users.

Broadband code: 19-4021-01

Class code: 5031

Region: South

County: Hendry

Working hours: 8-5 M-F, early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None.

Residency requirement: Incumbent must reside within a 25-mile radius of the OK Slough/Spirit-of-the-Wild WMA Field Office.

Level of education: High School Diploma or GED.

Additional 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. Must be able to operate ATVs, tractors, heavy equipment, and tools. Must obtain a State of Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License within 270 days of appointment and maintain license thereafter. Occasional overnight travel is required.

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.