OPS F & W BS III - 77900588

Requisition No: 847443 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BS III - 77900588

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77900588 

Salary:  $23.44 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 04/04/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77900588

Position Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

OPS-Amount of Hours Worked Per Fiscal Year: 1,920  OPS Hourly Rate/FTE Biweekly Rate of Pay: $23.44

Supervisor: Samantha Johnston

Broadband Code: 19-1029-03

Class Code: 5074

Address: North Central Regional Office. 3377 E. U.S. Highway 90, Lake City, FL 32055-8795.

Phone Number:  (386) 758-0525.

Region: North Central

County: Columbia

Working hours: 8 am – 5 pm

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: None

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.

Description of Duties:

This position combines scientific expertise with community engagement to facilitate conservation-based projects and promote stewardship for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The successful applicant will serve as a Volunteer Program Biologist within the Public Access Services Office in the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. This position is based in the North Central Regional Office in Lake City, FL, with opportunities to support projects and make a meaningful difference across all divisions.

This position offers direct coordination of volunteers for conservation projects, collaborating with a diverse group of biologists, land managers, and interested groups. Supporting a variety of species and habitats in the north central region of Florida, the Volunteer Program Biologist plays a key role in designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring conservation efforts that engage volunteers. Responsibilities include recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, as well as providing expert support in volunteer management and participatory science best practices to FWC’s land managers and biologists. Additionally, the position involves building partnerships to carry out volunteer-driven conservation projects on both public and private lands.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an enthusiastic and self-driven individual passionate about conservation. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational, leadership, community development, project design, and communication skills, while demonstrating a deep commitment to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s mission of protecting the state’s diverse fish, wildlife, and habitat resources. A broad working knowledge of local ecology and familiarity with a variety of Florida’s non-game species across multiple taxa is preferred. This position offers valuable benefits, including merit-based raises after the first year, extensive field training, and a dynamic schedule that allows for diverse and engaging work experiences.

Duties:

• Data Collection, Analysis and Synthesis:
  • Designs and/or implements survey protocols for threatened and endangered wildlife.
  • Monitors and evaluates long-term conservation projects that use volunteers, including participatory science projects.
  • Implements adaptive management strategies to achieve project goals.
• Coordination:
  • Designs, leads, and manages multiple concurrent conservation projects that involve volunteers.
  • Directs the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers and accurate volunteer documentation.
  • Ensures volunteers are appropriately trained to meet rigorous scientific protocol standards.
  • Develops and maintains partnerships with external agencies and organizations to implement conservation projects that use volunteers on public and private lands.
  • Plans and implements volunteer recognition events.
• Program Development and Administration:
  • Works closely with the FWC Volunteer Program Manager as well as the other regional Volunteer Program Biologists to develop and promote the FWC Volunteer Program.
  • Counsels FWC staff on volunteer and participatory science best management practices.
  • Participates as an active member of the FWC’s Volunteer Standing Team.
  • Participates as an active member of habitat and species working groups or strategic teams as needed.
  • Prepares quarterly and annual reports and other reports as needed.
  • Contributes content for the FWC Volunteers Facebook page and volunteer newsletter.
  • Presents at regional and statewide meetings, workshops, and scientific conferences.
  • Trains staff on and assists with volunteer data management and tracking.
  • Schedules regular service of assigned work vehicle and prepares monthly vehicle maintenance logs.
  • Processes job-related purchases and travel expenses using the Works payment management service and the Statewide Travel Management System.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in a volunteer leadership or management role.
• Broad-based working knowledge of a variety of non-game Florida species across multiple taxa.
• Knowledge of the ecosystems of Florida (or Southeastern United States), wildlife management practices, and conservation threats.
• Ability to analyze biological data and to report it in a scientific manner.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, both independently and as part of a team.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective oral and written communication skills including public speaking and preparing multi-media presentations.
• Ability to effectively use computer programs to conduct work duties (including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access).
• Knowledge of database management and/or GIS software programs.
• Knowledge of social media applications.

• Ability and willingness to travel overnight and during the day for projects, meetings, and workshops. Travel for day trips as well as overnight travel within a 200-mile radius and beyond the boundaries of the FWC’s North Central Region, as well as travel throughout the state and out of the state for conferences. Approximately 25%-50% of this position’s time includes travel, with flexibility to work weekends and evenings, as necessary.
• Ability to work outdoors conducting land management activities in remote locations and often in physically demanding circumstances.

• Ability to operate power tools safely, including chainsaws, and to train and supervise volunteers performing fieldwork to adhere to safety guidelines and precautions.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications: Six years of relevant experience. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the six years of required experience. A bachelors degree is preferred.

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.