OPS-Fish & Wildlife BS IV - 77904025

Requisition No: 851493 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS-Fish & Wildlife BS IV - 77904025

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77904025 

Salary:  $26.04 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 05/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Mission Statemen: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Position Number: 77904025 

Location: 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811

Other office locations in the Southwest Region may be considered.

Salary: $26.04/hour (1920 hours annually)

Supervisor: Rebecca Schneider

Broadband Code: 19-1023-04

Class Code: 5075

Region: Southwest

Class Title: Biological Scientist IV, OPS+

County: Polk

Working Hours:  8:00am – 5:00pm

Work outside of a regular 8-hour schedule may occasionally be required.

Residency Requirement: None

List of Subordinates Supervised: Two full-time or seasonal positions within the Florida Shorebird Program

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.

Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Eligible candidates must be willing to obtain and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

A complete application includes a resume or CV, three references, a cover letter for this position, and the electronic State of Florida employment application.

Minimum Qualifications: 5 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 5 years of required experience.

Preferred Requirements: This is not an entry level position. A Master of Science degree in one of the life/physical sciences and 2 years of relevant experience is preferred.

For questions regarding this position, please contact Becky Schneider at Rebecca.Schneider@MyFWC.com or Emily Moss at Emily.Moss@MyFWC.com.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices.  The Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC) is seeking a fish and wildlife professional for an exciting opportunity to benefit shorebird conservation in the SW Region.

The Southwest Regional Shorebird Biologist position is one of several key positions within the grant-funded Shorebird Program. The goal of the Regional Shorebird Biologist is to support and implement short- and long-term strategies that contribute to the conservation of five focal shorebird and seabird species in Florida (American oystercatcher, least tern, black skimmer, snowy plover, and Wilson’s plover).

Description of Duties – This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, organized, and dedicated individual to lead conservation of critical sites supporting imperiled beach nesting birds. The Southwest Regional Shorebird Biologist is a grant-funded position housed within the Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation (FWC). The SW Region includes 12 counties and supports significant aggregates of shorebird nesting areas on conservation, public, and private lands.

This position will have a significant role in leading, coordinating, and collaborating on projects and conservation efforts that benefit a variety of species, including state listed shorebirds and seabirds throughout the Southwest Region.

The Regional Shorebird Biologist will primarily be responsible for coordinating with staff and teams, law enforcement, and partners to support management activities such as shorebird posting, stewardship, monitoring, and predation management on priority beaches and rooftops. The Regional Shorebird Biologist will support the implementation of species conservation measures that provide the framework for avoidance and minimization of impacts to beach and rooftop nesting shorebirds.

The Regional Shorebird Biologist serves as a resource to the public and partners on recommended conservation practices at beach-nesting bird sites. This position routinely provides guidance on avoidance of impacts to imperiled shorebirds and subject matter expertise on permit applications related to shorebirds. 

Additionally, the person in this position will be responsible for administrative tasks such as tracking regional budgets, hiring staff, and purchasing.

Duties of the position may include:

• Work with local governments, landowners, and resource managers to foster positive conservation outcomes of shorebirds (habitat management, habitat creation, predation management, posting) through outreach, technical assistance, and recognition.
• Lead, coordinate, and engage in meetings and projects to promote conservation for shorebirds and coastal resources regionally.
• Work with teams and partners to address controversial regional issues, including those with regulatory implications.
• Participate in regional Florida Shorebird Alliance partnership meetings, present on key topics and regional updates, as needed.
• Present to staff, partners, and the public to increase support for and understanding of beach nesting birds.
• Coordinate with the data team to prepare reports summarizing activities and monitoring results on priority nesting sites; review annual nesting data for quality assurance.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure high-priority sites are monitored and posted during the nesting season.
• Improve the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts by developing and delivering annual training to law enforcement staff, as well as coordinating patrols at critical times during the breeding season.
• Provide technical assistance and subject matter expertise during project and permit reviews and participate in relevant environmental commenting.
• Assist with developing habitat management, creation, and restoration projects to benefit coastal species.
• Coordinate with staff and teams to guide regional shorebird predation management activities, including support in prioritizing sites for management.
• Supervise up to 2 full-time or seasonal positions within the Florida Shorebird Program (Predation Management Biologist and Critical Wildlife Area Biologist) and coordinate hiring of staff with supervisor and teams.
• Occasional overnight travel associated with agency mission critical guidelines may be required. This includes travel for field work, conferences, meetings, training, and other relevant activities.
• Complete administrative duties such as vehicle reporting, purchase tracking, and travel forms in a timely manner.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• The individual must be highly skilled in leadership, partnership development and maintenance, and organization including project and information management, and capable of eliciting cooperation as necessary to achieve objectives.
• This position requires proficiency in effective communication, including verbal and written, and in establishing professional, collaborative relationships. Strong interpersonal skills, professional demeanor, and positive attitude are an asset to success in this position. The ability to work closely with teams and independently is essential.
• Knowledge and skills in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, and familiarity with shared working spaces such as SharePoint and Google Docs.
• Abilities to apply technical and scientific knowledge; analyze, interpret, and explain complex technical issues regarding wildlife conservation activities; and develop integrated creative solutions.
• Ability to conduct moderately strenuous wildlife management and monitoring activities outdoors, including activities which require lifting 40lbs or more, during a variety of field conditions (hot, humid, and buggy, and sometimes during inclement weather).
• Ability to safely operate a variety of vehicles and equipment including GPS units, hand tools, power tools, 4WD vehicles, ATVs, trailers, and boats up to 19 feet is preferred.
• Shorebird and seabird conservation experience and species identification skills preferred.

OPS Employment – This is a full-time OPS (Other Personnel Services) position. OPS employees are paid for the number of hours they work. OPS employees do not receive paid leave, or paid holidays. OPS staff are eligible for health insurance benefits and participation in the Deferred Compensation investment retirement program.  

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

•           State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory

•           Workers’ Compensation - mandatory

•           Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory

•           Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.)

•           Deferred Compensation - voluntary

•           Employee Assistance Program – voluntary  

•           Learn more at https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

•           Any form of paid leave

•           Paid holidays

•           Participation in the Florida Retirement System

•           Reinstatement rights or retention rights

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.