OPS F & W Tech - 77902272

Requisition No: 859494 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W Tech - 77902272

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902272 

Salary:  $16.83 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 09/17/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77902272

Position Title: OPS Fish and Wildlife Technician

OPS Hourly Rate $16.83

Supervisor: David Lingenfelser, Wildlife Impact Management Section, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist IV

Supervisor contact information for inquiries, (239-340-7738, David.Lingenfelser@myfwc.com)

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Position location: 1922 Victoria Ave, Unit B, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Region: SW

County: Lee

Working hours: Part-Time, 24 hours per week; typically 3, 8-hour workdays, variable M-F, frequent nights and occasional weekends required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: None

Agency information: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Wildlife Impact Management Section, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program

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 Impact Management Section (WIMS) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 1 year of post-high school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction is required.

Vocational training or an associate’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction from an accredited school or college may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

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. Occasional overnight travel is required.

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 or 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.

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.

Preferred qualifications:

• 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%.

Description of Duties:

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.

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.