OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci III - 77905017

Requisition No: 862077 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci III - 77905017

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77905017 

Salary:  $21.63 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 10/29/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77905017

Position Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Hourly Rate of Pay: $21.83/hour

Supervisor: Tim Coughlin

Supervisor contact information for inquiries: (407) 846-5247

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Position location: 1601 Scotty’s Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744

Region: Northeast

County: Osceola

Working hours: M-F, 8 AM – 5 PM (Hours may vary based on workload and may be required to work weekends and non-traditional hours.)

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: Florida

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 Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRE) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 6 years 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: In addition to submitting a completed State of Florida electronic application and completing the qualifying questions, applicants must attach a cover letter and up to date resume to be considered. Submitted cover letter should at a minimum explain your interest in working with the Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Subsection and identify your most relevant skills and experience.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

Will be required to obtain and maintain a current and valid Florida Driver’s license.  Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check.  The criminal history check must be completed prior to or within the first three days of employment.

Preferred qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Incumbent must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and leadership skills, be able to work well with team members and interact positively with stakeholders and cooperators.

• Knowledgeable in principles of aquatic ecology and fish/wildlife habitat management

• Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of aquatic habitat management and restoration, including revegetation, mechanical and chemical vegetation control, and organic sediment removal
• Knowledge of GIS and GPS and its application to habitat management and surveys
• Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and other stakeholders
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, with limited supervision
• Ability to work outdoors under harsh weather conditions
• Ability to effectively swim and be comfortable in the water
• Ability to conduct in-water tasks comfortably
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours.

• Strong knowledge of freshwater ecology, habitat assessment, and management techniques
• Familiarity with state and federal wetland permitting
• Experience with project management, contract management, developing scopes of work, and oversight of contracted vendors
• Proficient in GIS and GPS applications
• Ability to operate boats, airboats, 4WD vehicles, UTVs/ATVs, and tow trailers
• Experience using drones for vegetation or wildlife management
• Experience or certified in the application of prescribed fire

Description of Duties: The Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRE) of the Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section is seeking an aquatic habitat restoration biologist to develop and manage projects on lakes, rivers, and wetlands to benefit fish and wildlife resources.  The position will work within the Northeast Florida AHRE multidisciplinary team, and independently.

This position is responsible for development of budget proposals, project specifications, contract management, and reporting. The position identifies aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement opportunities, secures internal or external project funding, hires and oversees contractors to complete habitat projects, and conducts assessment of project effectiveness.  In addition, the position will interact professionally with the public and partners providing technical expertise on aquatic habitat management. Overnight travel is required to complete fieldwork and attend regional and divisional meetings and trainings.

Required Duties Include but Are Not Limited to The Following:

• Identify, develop, coordinate, and implement wetland and aquatic habitat restoration projects that maximize benefits to fish and wildlife resources
• Work independently and with partners with the primary focus on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. This work will include managing contractors on projects including mechanical removal of nuisance vegetation and organic sediments, herbicide treatment of aquatic plants, planting of beneficial wetland vegetation species and utilization of other wetland restoration techniques.
• Procure necessary state and federal permits required for project implementation.
• Develop project bid documents and contracts.
• Provide contract management of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.
• Provide contractor oversight of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.
• Work across FWC divisions and cooperate with other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others as appropriate to implement FWC’s aquatic habitat restoration program.
• Participate in and provide input to internal (FWC sponsored) and external (non-FWC sponsored) aquatic resource management groups.
• Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of wetland and aquatic habitat monitoring and sampling.
• Evaluate and predict environmental response to project activities in coordination with other FWC divisions, office, and section personnel.
• Create and maintain databases of collected scientific data and maps of project areas using appropriate computer software.
• Prepare, publish, and present project management plans and relevant project findings through internal (quarterly/annual/completion reports and management plans) and external (peer-reviewed publications, professional and public meeting, etc.) outlets.
• Perform other project-related duties and tasks as directed by supervisor.
• Be proficient in the operation of 4X4 vehicles and maintenance of project vehicles.
• Be proficient in the operation and maintenance of boats, trailers, and airboats.
• Be proficient in the operation and maintenance of UTVs and ATVs.
• Be proficient in the use and maintenance of field and laboratory equipment.
• Assist other AHRE, AHCR and Commission projects as necessary.
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Responsible for 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 of Section 215.422, F.S., related to State Comptroller’s rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan – mandatory
• Workers Compensation – mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) – mandatory
• Potential to participate 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.