OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77901618

Requisition No: 857593 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77901618

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77901618 

Salary:  $20.83 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 08/24/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Position number: 77901618

Position address: 1630 Royce Ranch Avenue, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Phone: (863) 581-6949

Supervisor: Vacant

Starting Pay Rate: $20.83/hour

Broadband code: 19-1023-02

Region: Southwest

County: Highlands

City: Lake Placid

Working hours: 8am – 5pm Monday - Friday, with occasional assignments outside of normal working hours. Maximum allowable hours per fiscal year: 1,920.

List of any subordinates supervised: OPS employees as applicable

Residency requirement: Required to reside with a 25-mile radius of the Royce Unit of the Lake Wales Ridge WEA.

Minimum Qualifications: Five 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 five years of required experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

Five years of direct experience in a life or physical science. A bachelor’s degree in a life or physical science can substitute for four years of the required experience.

Preferred Requirements: A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the life/physical sciences is preferred.

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 AN OPS POSITION. IT IS NOT CAREER SERVICE.

The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. An exciting opportunity exists for an entry-level Fish and Wildlife Biologist to join a team of employees within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section in managing the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area in Highlands County. FWC’s Southwest Region is seeking a motivated applicant that is willing and able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions throughout the year in fulfillment of their job responsibilities. Responsibilities include assisting with the planning, development and implementation of habitat management programs to maintain and perpetuate native wildlife populations, including participation on the LWRWEA prescribed burn team.

This position is also responsible for the accomplishment of Commission-planned activities such as the following: prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical control of native and invasive non-native vegetation, design and implementation of biological surveys to monitor the status of selected species, including data analysis and report writing; development and implementation of public recreational programs; proposing regulations based on sound biological and sociological principles; planning, development, and maintenance of projects to facilitate public use including road construction, establishment of parking areas, culvert installation, and construction and maintenance of boundary and interior fences and gates; potentially supervising various OPS staff; and furthering agency goals through interactions with cooperating agencies and stakeholders.  

Job duties will further include providing assistance with the development and periodic revision of long-range, comprehensive management plans, and will also include providing input and review for the preparation of programs, annual work plans, budget proposals, area regulations, brochures and reports. 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Wildlife ecology
• Game management
• Ability to use chainsaws and hand tools
• Ability to write technical reports
• Wildlife and habitat survey and inventory knowledge
• Ability to work outdoors under inclement weather conditions
• Ability to identify common, non-native and imperiled species
• Ability to work productively unsupervised
• Strong GIS skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with cooperators, coworkers and constituents
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work well in a team as well as independently

Preferred Qualifications: Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, experience with prescribed burning and habitat management, experience working in Central Florida scrub habitats, and experience conducting wildlife surveys.

Other requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Must possess and maintain a valid minimum Class E State of Florida driver’s license. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Benefits: Participate in group health insurance.

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.