OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77901761

Requisition No: 842697 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77901761

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77901761 

Salary:  $18.21 an hour 1920 hours a fiscal year 

Posting Closing Date: 12/30/2024 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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

Position number: 77901761

Position address: Fisheating Creek WMA 1937 Banana Grove Rd. Moore Haven, FL 33471

Phone: (863) 946-1194

Supervisor: Carrie Kimbrough 

Hire-in Pay: $18.23/hour (40 hours per week; 1,920 hours per year).

Description of duties: The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to assist with the management of Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Glades County, FL. This position serves as an OPS full-time, Fish & Wildlife Technician on a team to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of wildlife and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors. The primary job responsibility will be clearing natural debris and trash from Fisheating Creek to maintain navigability. This job requires working in hot and humid conditions typical of the south Florida environment using chainsaws, handsaws, winches, and other appropriate tools. The applicant must be in good physical condition, able to lift at least 50 pounds, and able to work primarily independently in the field. 

Additional duties include operation and maintenance of area equipment including trucks, Jon boats, ATV/UTVs, swamp buggies, and various small equipment (e.g., water pumps, mowers, chainsaws, weed eaters) in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. Applicant must possess the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment and follow manufacturer’s recommendations for periodic preventative maintenance. The successful candidate will assist with the operation of hunter check stations on the WMA to collect biological data of hunter harvested game and will assist with wildlife survey efforts.

Other duties include assisting with various land management activities and infrastructure maintenance and repair as needed. May assist with prescribed burning. The applicant will interact with partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules, and regulations. The successful candidate must occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, and assist on other management areas as needed.

About the WMA: Fisheating Creek WMA encompasses over 18,000 acres of beautiful, untamed habitat including cypress swamps, scrub, dry prairie, floodplains, oak hammocks, and pasture. Fisheating Creek is the only undammed tributary into Lake Okeechobee, making it a natural wonder. It is home to black bears, gopher tortoises, alligators, Florida scrub jays, bobcats, Florida panthers, migratory birds, and many other fascinating wildlife species. It attracts members of the public for a variety of recreational opportunities, including hunting, airboating, kayaking and canoeing, hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Able to operate, maintain, and repair equipment and associated implements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments.
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as chainsaw use in remote areas and herbicide use for vegetation control.
• Ability to navigate using GPS units in the field.
• Basic use of personal computers (including Microsoft Office).
• Ability to work outdoors under harsh conditions (e.g., heat, rain, biting insects, rough terrain).
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds.

Strong work ethic in support of goals and objectives in managing the area, including good communication skills with team members, staff, and diverse public users.

Broadband code: 19-4021-01

Class code: 5031

Region: South

Title: OPS Fish and Wildlife Technician

County: Glades

Working hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday (early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required)

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: Must reside within a 25-mile radius of the Fisheating Creek WMA Field Office.

Level of education: High School Diploma or GED.

Additional 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.

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.