FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000109

Requisition No: 826173 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000109

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000109 

Salary:  40,000 

Posting Closing Date: 05/23/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

TITLE:  Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II  

SECTION: Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management – North Central Region

PAY RANGE:  $40,000 annually – plus benefits

LOCATION: North Central Regional Office

                   3377 US Hwy 90

Lake City, FL  32055

Columbia County

CONTACT:  Luzette Musen      

                   386-628-1964

                  nancy.musen@MyFWC.com

DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES:  

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) seeks a qualified individual to work at the interface between anglers and fisheries to manage, enhance, and promote freshwater fishing opportunities in North Central Florida’s aquatic resources.  This position is part of a regional team with FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management and is in Lake City, Florida. The selected candidate will be responsible for the management of freshwater fisheries resources in FWC’s North Central Region (17 counties) as needed.  This position will coordinate with regional project staff and other agency staff to help design and implement biological studies on aquatic resources, implement agency established protocols to assess sportfish populations, conduct aquatic resource management and enhancement activities, interact with agency stakeholders, compile, analyze and interpret biological data used to write technical reports.  The person selected for this position will be required to regularly interact with individuals from within and outside the agency, as well as the general public.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with development and implementation of fisheries management goals related to North Central Region resources including stakeholder interaction, habitat enhancement, data analysis, stocking, fish feeding, fisheries sampling, coordinating with cooperators and other governmental agencies, and promotional and educational opportunities.
• Works with Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement section as well as Invasive Plant Management personnel to design and implement habitat maintenance and improvement projects.
• Assists in developing partnerships in aquatic resource management projects with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains stakeholder contacts with anglers, fish camps, local governmental officials, tackle shop owners, fishing guides, outdoor media, fishing clubs, conservation groups, etc. to ensure effective, two-way communication relative to FWC programs and projects.
• Assist with freshwater fisheries resource monitoring utilizing established sampling methodologies and gear.
• The incumbent will help implement action items in the Division’s Black Bass and Black Crappie Management Plans. Incumbent will become familiar with and promote the Division’s TrophyCatch bass recognition program. 
• Provides technical assistance to the public through telephone, written communication, presentations, and lectures.
• Assists with the preparation of educational materials such as new releases, brochures, and visual aids.
• Data compilation, management, and analysis (including statistical analysis).
• Drafting/editing of quarterly, annual, and completion reports.
• Operates/maintains project equipment including vehicles, boats, motors, trailers, and other field sampling equipment.

All FWC staff are expected to 1) courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission’s programs or fish and wildlife conservation; 2) seek to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive manner.  Additionally, you will be responsible for timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices and warrants for payments of goods, and 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Florida’s freshwater fish, fish population dynamics and fish management techniques.
• Knowledge of freshwater aquatic plants and related management techniques.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitat restoration techniques.
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques relevant to fisheries biology.
• Knowledge of freshwater fisheries sampling techniques and related gear.
• Ability to work with internal and external personnel, managers, government officials, riparian landowners, and other stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills to work with internal and external customers.
• Ability to operate independently to achieve project objectives.
• Skilled in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, data analysis, fish population analysis programs, etc.
• Ability to design and conduct biological studies/surveys.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and in remote locations.
• Skilled in the operation of boats, outboard motors, trailers, etc.
• Ability to travel overnight and work flexible hours to meet project objectives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Must possess a valid boaters safety education identification card prior to operating any agency vessel.  The selected candidate must already possess a boater safety card or be willing and able to obtain one within 30 days of hiring.
• Four years of professional experience in a direct related biological field or laboratory program can substitute for the required bachelor's degree.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a life of physical sciences and two years of professional experience in a field or laboratory program; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in life or physical science.
• Background in fisheries science with experience in biological field sampling and the use of fisheries-related sampling equipment.
• Be willing and able to travel out of the office location area, stay overnight, work weekends and put in extended hours when necessary.

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 interest in the position. 

POSITION DETAILS:

Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST, Monday through Friday

This position requires travel up to 25% and work time outside of regular scheduled hours.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.  As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.

• Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly

• No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

• Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year

• 4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrual each biweekly 

• Uniform allowance

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

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.