OPS F & W Tech - 77902249

Requisition No: 822812 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W Tech - 77902249

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902249 

Salary:  $16.83 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 05/07/2024 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Title: Part-time OPS Nonnative Fisheries and Wildlife Technician

Working Title: OPS Fish and Wildlife Technician

Salary: $16.83/hour (not to exceed 24 hours per week)

Position number:  77902249

Broadband/Class Code:  19-1023-02

Level of Education: High School Diploma or GED

Region: Southwest

Working hours: 24 hours/week 8-5, M-F, occasional nights and weekend required. Overnight travel may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: None

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division:  Habitat and Species Conservation

Section:  Wildlife Impact Management

Sub-section:  Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program

Address: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wildlife Impact Management Section, 1922 Victoria Ave.Unit B, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Supervisor: Daniel Young, Wildlife Impact Management Section, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist IV

It is anticipated that two positions will be hired as Part-time Nonnative Fisheries and Wildlife Technicians through this advertisement.

Minimum Qualifications: A High School Diploma or GED. A valid Florida driver’s license required once employee begins work. In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and a cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.

Cover letters and resumes shall be uploaded to the People First System.

Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

Description of Position:

The Wildlife Impact Management Section is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to help address nonnative fish and wildlife in Florida.  Primary responsibility will be Early Detection Rapid Response for high priority nonnative species, including but not limited to large constrictors, lizards, amphibians, birds, and mammals in Southwest Florida. Particular focus will be on surveying for and removing Burmese pythons. The incumbent will conduct work on public and private land and will be responsible for professional representation of the agency.

Primary duties will include:

• Conducting surveys for nonnative wildlife;
• Responding rapidly to reports of nonnative wildlife;
• Removing invasive, potentially dangerous wildlife using other methods, including hand capture, live traps, and net guns;
• Humanely killing nonnative wildlife using approved methods;
• Collecting, entering and organizing data on all activities;
• Responding to other wildlife conflict issues as needed.

This position will include extensive driving throughout the Southwest Region (especially Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota counties), working independently, and requires an ability to solve problems in the field. Knowledge of both native and nonnative reptiles in Florida and experience handling nonnative and potentially dangerous wildlife is preferred.

Additional duties may include:

• Conducting other activities and tasks as necessary to support other HSC staff in the region;
• Maintaining and entering vehicles logs and maintaining and tracking other equipment stored at the Fort Myers office;
• Opening and closing live traps in urban locations on a daily basis, maintaining bait in traps, releasing by-catch from trapping efforts unharmed, safely and humanely removing nonnative wildlife from traps.

The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.

It is expected that all FWC employees courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have on matters relating to the Commission, its programs, or fish and wildlife conservation in general; and garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position: 

• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation;
• Demonstrated working knowledge and experience handling and caring for nonnative wildlife; 
• Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service; 
• Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;
• Experience with wildlife trapping and other removal techniques;
• Familiarity with nonnative species issues;
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
• Ability to drive a 4WD truck and trailer;
• Ability to troubleshoot and assist the public while communicating over the phone and in-person.

Desired qualifications include:

• Ability to identify native and nonnative wildlife;
• Experience with safe handling and use of firearms;
• Ability to pull a two-axel trailer;
• Ability to multi-task in a dynamic work place;
• Computer experience (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and Outlook);
• Ability to travel less than 25%.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Florida driver’s license

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• Any form of paid leave
• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

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.