FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77001117

Requisition No: 841798 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77001117

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001117 

Salary:  $1,923.08 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 12/12/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

FWC Mission Statement:  Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

Working Title: Senior Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist (Southwest Florida)

Salary: $1,923.08 biweekly + benefits 

Position number: 77001117

Broadband/Class Code:  19-1023-04/5075

Level of Education: Minimum: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with 3 years of experience is preferred

Region: Southwest

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F, occasional nights and weekend required. Overnight travel may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: 5 OPS staff members (2 part-time 24 hr/wk Biological Technicians, 2 Biologist II, and 1 Biologist III)

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 Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Supervisor: Anna Deyle, Wildlife Impact Management Section, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Field Operations Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications: Prefer a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and three years of professional biological experience; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and at two years of professional experience; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences.

A valid driver’s license required. In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.

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.

Description of Position:

The Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program within the Wildlife Impact Management Section of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation (HSC) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as a Senior Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist IV based in southwest Florida. The mission of the Wildlife Impact Management Section is to minimize adverse impacts of fish and wildlife on Florida’s environment, economy, and human health and safety.

Primary responsibilities of this position include the development and implementation of nonnative species population assessments, coordination of control efforts and Early Detection Rapid Response for high priority nonnative species, including, but not limited to large constrictor snakes, lizards, amphibians, birds, and mammals.  The incumbent will also manage and develop contract scope of work language, task assignments, and be responsible for contract oversight. The incumbent will work closely with partner agencies on emerging nonnative species issues in southwest Florida at the direction of the Supervisor, Program Leader, and Section Leader. The incumbent will oversee and manage nonnative terrestrial species projects, programs, and daily operations in southwest Florida and is responsible for managing the field office.  This position will have the opportunity to work on challenging nonnative species issues as part of a team.

Primary duties will include:

• Managing successful operation of the FWC Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program office in southwest Florida;
• Collaborating with partners and stakeholders in the area to address nonnative fish and wildlife issues;
• Managing field operations, data collection, and analysis in the Southwest Region for nonnative species, including but not limited to herpetofauna including pythons, tegus and monitors, and other high priority species;
• Overseeing staff and equipment to facilitate removal, control, and Early Detection Rapid Response of nonnative wildlife;
• Coordinating Early Detection Rapid Response for nonnative species reported through the Exotic Species Hotline and other reporting tools;
• Conducting, coordinating, and participating in population assessments of introduced species as part of developing a risk assessment process for nonnative wildlife;
• Serving on committees and teams and attending meetings, workshops, and conferences as appropriate;
• Developing contract scopes of work and contract tasks, managing and monitoring contractors, reviewing and approving contract deliverables for work relating to nonnative species, removal efforts and population assessments;
• Actively participating in Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area groups;
• Assisting in creating adaptive management or response plans for nonnative wildlife species;
• Assisting the other Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program staff with review and development of nonnative species outreach and education materials and events to increase awareness of nonnative species issues;
• Serving as FWC liaison in intra- and interagency working groups in southwest Florida on nonnative terrestrial wildlife issues as part of enhancing partnerships to address adverse impacts of nonnative wildlife; 
• Supervising OPS Fish and Wildlife Biologist staff, volunteers, and/or interns.

The incumbent will be required to travel throughout the South and Southwest Regions to attend meetings, workshops, and to interact with partners engaged in nonnative species management. The incumbent should be able to work independently and have an ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders with varying perspectives and management needs.

Additional duties will include:

• Administrative duties associated with maintaining the Southwest Region Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Field Office;
• Collecting, recording and analyzing data related to nonnative species;
• Providing presentations to land managers, the public, and wildlife professionals;
• Conducting other activities and tasks as necessary to support other HSC staff in the region;
• Responding to other wildlife conflict issues as needed.

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

In carrying out duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware and abide by the Commission's standards of conduct, as well as any and all Commission rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

Responsible for the timely and accurate processing and/or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors.

Responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements for Section 215.422.F.S., related State Comptroller's rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

Courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation generally. Seeks to 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: 

• Ability to work independently and multitask when needed;
• Experience with development of field monitoring and/or population assessment for wildlife;
• Experience with designing and implementing field projects for wildlife conservation;
• Experience with data collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation;
• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation;
• Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service; 
• Familiarity with nonnative species issues;

• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
• Technical report writing experience, specifically with management or control plans;
• Supervisory experience;
• Ability to positively and effectively work with and communicate with stakeholders and coworkers.

Desired qualifications include:

• Ability to identify nonnative fish and wildlife;
• Extensive experience with public speaking;
• Demonstrated leadership abilities;
• Experience coordinating with federal, state, and local government agencies on shared issues;
• Ability and desire to be open-minded while working within a team of biologists to develop long-term solutions to nonnative wildlife management challenges;
• Computer experience (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Access, MS Excel and Outlook);
• Data analysis and GIS experience;
• Ability to travel less than 25%.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid driver’s license

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.