OPS- Fish & Wildlife Terchnician - 77904092

Requisition No: 870272 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS- Fish & Wildlife Terchnician - 77904092

 Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 77904092 

Salary:  $15.00 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 03/07/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management

OPS Fish and Wildlife Technician                                                               

$15.00 per hour

North Central Region

Suwannee River

Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management

Fish and Wildlife Technician – OPS Position Number 77904092

Suwannee River

Our organization: 

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy, connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and where 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 forged not only by what it does, but also 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. 

Minimum Qualifications:

A high school diploma and 2 years of postsecondary experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological, or related agriculture or construction are 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.

Candidate must be 18 years old and obtain a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Requirements: 

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.  

You must possess a valid boater's safety card. If the selected employee does not have a valid boater safety card, he or she must obtain one prior to the first day of fieldwork.

 Position Overview and Responsibilities:

• Position will be responsible for conducting on-the-water surveys along the middle sections of the Suwannee River. This ranges from the Fanning Springs to Hatch Bend Conservation areas.
• Incumbent will collect angler effort, catch, and harvest data via verbal angler interviews for freshwater fish species.

• Incumbent will count and interview every angler encountered in a polite and professional manner. The incumbent will follow a predefined interview protocol.

• This position may be responsible for accurately recording detailed survey data while operating a boat independently and safely.
• Incumbent may be responsible for operating FWC equipment (ex., trucks, trailers, and motorboats) for FWC business only and in a safe and law-abiding manner.
• Surveys will be conducted in all-weather types, including hot, cold, windy, and/or rainy conditions, if conditions are not dangerous.

Schedule:

Availability: Shifts are scheduled via random selection, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Each survey is 5 hours long before daylight saving time and 6 hours long after.  The earliest shift is 8:00 – 14:00 (8 am to 2 pm), the latest shift is 14:00- 20:00 (2:00-8:00 pm).  Average of 3 shifts per week, but can be 1 shift one week and 5 shifts the following week. The entire schedule will be known at the beginning of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities   

• Knowledge of Florida freshwater sportfish species and general angling terminology, and general small boat troubleshooting.

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally with the public in a polite and professional manner. 

• Follow explicit interview protocols. 

• Accurately and legibly record and safely store data, and work independently. 

• Work irregular weekday and weekend work periods, often in inclement weather. 

• Maintain a valid driver’s license. 

• Provide own transportation to and from work locations.   

• Skills in trailering, launching, and operating watercraft up to 24ft, likely in inclement weather.

**Please note: Incumbent will need to take and pass FWC’s Trailer and boating training prior to conducting surveys.  

Why should I apply? 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may 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. 

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

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance 

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan  

On-the-Job Training 

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 

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.