FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77001055 1

Requisition No: 840159 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77001055 1

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001055 

Salary:  $45,000.00 - $49,999.00 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Section: Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Northeast Regional Fish Management

Location: Northeast Regional Office

1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471

Working Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Scientist III

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001055

Salary: Minimum annual salary $45,000 maximum annual salary $49,999 plus benefits

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

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. Visit our website for more information: MyFWC.com

Description of Job Duties:

This position is part of a regional team with FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management and serves as the Fisheries Biologist III in the Ocala Regional Office. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• This position is responsible for representing DFFM on issues and management of freshwater fisheries resources within the Northeast Region (12 counties).
• Design, supervise and implement biological studies on aquatic resources, implement agency established protocols to assess sportfish populations, compile, analyze and interpret biological data and compile technical reports.
• With assistance from the Regional Fisheries Administrator, this position is responsible for coordinating and implementing management activities, e.g. fisheries habitat manipulations, fish stocking, angler surveys, formulation and implementation of regulations, fish population sampling, and water quality monitoring.
• Responsible for identifying and addressing regional fishing access needs, compiling stocking requests, and soliciting rule/regulation proposals.
• Responsible for effectively communicating with various stakeholder groups through multiple media outlets to ensure two-way communication relative to FWC programs and projects. 
• Serve as DFFM representative on intra- and inter-agency groups.
• Position will coordinate with Regional Freshwater Fisheries Administrator, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)-Freshwater Fisheries Research and Habitat and Species Conservation (HSC) staff to develop aquatic restoration, enhancement, aquatic plant management, and other projects that emphasize improving or maintaining sport fish populations, angler access or the creation of new fishing opportunities.
• This position will be responsible for supervising two full-time employees located in Ocala, FL (2 Biological Scientist II positions).
• Operates/maintains boats, motors, trailers and other sampling equipment
• The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible.  Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources.  Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs.  When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view. 
• Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Comptroller’s rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures. Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines.  The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Knowledge of Florida’s freshwater fish, fisheries, fish population dynamics, and fish management techniques.

• Ability to design and conduct biological studies/surveys.

• Knowledge of freshwater aquatic plants and related management techniques.

• Knowledge of data analysis techniques relevant to fisheries biology.

• Skill in writing (both technical and popular articles)

• Skill in the maintenance and operation of boats, outboard motors, fish sampling equipment, trailers, etc.

• Skill in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, data analysis, fish population analysis programs, etc.

• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing and establish/maintain effective working relationships with public, stakeholders, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission staff

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and reasoning in decision making and problem solving

• Ability to implement project management techniques and practices (scheduling/task management) to ensure completion of programs and projects in an effective and timely manner

• Ability to operate independently to achieve project objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.

•  Six (6) years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or
•  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicants possessing a Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences and professional experience in freshwater fisheries may be given preference

In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and interest in the position.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 
State of Florida employees 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. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.  As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems. 

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

No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance 

Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year 

4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrual each biweekly  
 
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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.