OPS F & W BS III - 77903054

Requisition No: 861236 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BS III - 77903054

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77903054 

Salary:  $23.44 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 10/09/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77903054

Position Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Working Title: Ridge Ranger Volunteer Program Biologist

OPS Hourly Rate: $23.44 (1920 hours a fiscal year)

Supervisor: Samantha Johnston

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Location: 1630 Royce Ranch Avenue, Lake Placid, Florida, 33852.

Phone Number: 727-580-4688

Region: Southwest

County: Highlands

Working hours: 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday with occasional weekends and evenings.

List of any subordinates supervised: N/A

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 is the position of Ridge Ranger Volunteer Program Biologist in the Public Access Services Office within FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Public Access Services Office is a leader in innovative best practices to provide safe, sustainable, quality wildlife experiences and conservation opportunities to the public. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Regional Volunteer Program team!

The Lake Wales Ridge is an 800 square mile stretch of ancient uplands in rapidly developing, rural central Florida. An ecological region of national significance, Lake Wales Ridge is home to numerous rare species and natural communities. At least twelve public and private organizations are working to protect 35 natural areas, encompassing approximately 150,000 acres within this region. These natural resources need the active support of the community to ensure their continued protection through active management.

The Ridge Ranger Volunteer Program Biologist position combines scientific expertise with community engagement to facilitate conservation-based projects and promote stewardship for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This position offers direct supervision of volunteers in the Ridge Ranger Volunteer Program, collaborating with a diverse group of biologists, land managers, and interested groups to coordinate conservation projects. Supporting a variety of species and habitats in the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA), the Ridge Ranger Volunteer Program Biologist plays a key role in designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring conservation efforts that engage volunteers.

This is a full-time OPS position with a pay rate of $23.44 per hour, with potential for health benefits. This position may offer merit-based raises after the first year, extensive field training, and a dynamic schedule. It is located in Lake Placid, Florida at the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) Field Office.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Volunteer Management:
  • Ensures volunteer natural resource conservation projects are effectively managed and rewarding to land management agencies, workday leaders, and volunteers.
  • Coordinates recruitment, training, and management of volunteers and maintains accurate volunteer documentation.
  • Regularly evaluates and improves the Ridge Ranger Volunteer Program to maximize program impact and effectiveness.
  • Promotes safety on volunteer workdays and acts as a safety example to others.
• Conservation Support and Coordination:
  • Approximate percentage (25% in summer, 75% in winter) of overall time in the field assisting Lake Wales Ridge WEA conservation efforts, to include organizing, leading or co-leading volunteer workdays to conduct plant surveys, wildlife surveys, fence building/removals, land restoration projects, trail maintenance, native vegetation restoration, trash removal, prescribed fire line preparation, conducting public outreach and other projects.
  • Manages the on-site plant nursery with the input of the Lake Wales Ridge WEA Lead Area Biologist.
  • Works with the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area Lead Area Biologist as well as other field staff on various projects (e.g., prescribed fire) as requested.
  • Serves as the main point of contact for the Bass Tournament Volunteer Program.
  • Works with FWC Fisheries Biologists to create bass tournament schedules for Highlands Lakes’ Bass Tournament Program volunteer opportunities, and Bass Tournament Program participatory science opportunities, acting as liaison between the public and partners for bass tournament events.
  • Fosters excellent working relationships with volunteers, collaborating with internal and external agency and organization land managers and biologists to identify and develop meaningful and relevant conservation projects.
• Program Development and Administration:
  • Develops an annual Ridge Ranger work plan in collaboration with the Southwest Volunteer Program Biologist.
  • Promotes Ridge Ranger volunteer accomplishments and programs to internal and external partners through various outlets.
  • Communicates project opportunities with volunteers, workday leaders and the public through The Ridge Ranger News newsletter, social media, public meetings, a public calendar, and other outreach methods.
  • Plans and implements volunteer recognition events.
  • Completes administrative tasks including maintaining the volunteer database, managing the volunteer mailing list, and maintaining appropriate volunteer personnel records.
  • Processes job-related purchases and travel expenses using the Works payment management service and the Statewide Travel Management System.
  • Trains staff on and assists with volunteer data management and tracking.
  • Generates quarterly reports and other reports, as needed.
  • Works with the FWC’s Volunteer Program Team on various outreach efforts and projects involving volunteers, as requested.

Cooperation, communication, and teamwork are necessary skills for this position. Candidates must be highly proficient in written and verbal communication. The successful applicant will possess strong self-direction and self-motivation, sound decision making, leadership, community development, 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.

Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in the application, resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work efficiently, coordinate multiple concurrent projects and to set and meet deadlines.
• Proven organizational skills and the ability to plan, schedule, and direct the work of volunteers.
• Ability to work well both independently and within a team-structured environment.
• Experience and ability to interact with, influence, and motivate a wide diversity of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with FWC staff and other partner organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including public speaking and preparing effective multi-media presentations.
• Knowledge of the ecosystems of south-central Florida and wildlife management practices.
• Ability to identify common and imperiled species and understand their habitat and life history requirements.
• Ability to work outdoors conducting land management activities in remote locations and often in physically demanding circumstances.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate power tools safely, including chainsaws, and to train and supervise volunteers performing fieldwork to adhere to safety guidelines and precautions. Preference given to those with national chainsaw certification. Required to obtain certification within one year of hiring.
• Ability and willingness to travel on day trips (within 100-mile radius) and overnight (3 to 5 days), with flexibility to work weekends (most often on Saturdays) and evenings as necessary. Must have a current Florida driver’s license and must provide own transportation to and from work.
• Ability to effectively use computer programs to conduct work duties (including Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access).
• Ability to learn volunteer management platform and GIS (including ArcGIS) programs.

Position Requirements:

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.

Experience with ArcGIS program and prescribed fire management preferred but not required. Preference given to those with S-130, S-190, and L-180 certificates.

This position is expected to work independently with limited supervision. This position works Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm with some weekends or evenings as required for programs or travel, with a total of 1920 hours worked per fiscal year. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and have the ability to travel 20% on average annually.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

How To Apply:

Application packets must be submitted through the State of Florida’s official employment site (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/) and must include a cover letter and resume in addition to the state application. Application packets without a cover letter, resume and state application will not be considered for the position.

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.