OPS Fish & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77902242

Requisition No: 848729 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77902242

 Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 77902242 

Salary:  $19.23 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 04/01/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77902242

Location: 8122 US-441, Okeechobee, FL 34974 (FWC Okeechobee Office)

Supervisor:  Gabe Prichard  850-510-7093

Email: Gabriel.Prichard@MyFWC.com

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.

In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, please attach a cover letter. This letter should at minimum explain your interest in the specific position and identify your most relevant skills and experiences.

Description of Duties:

The incumbent serves as a member of the Alligator Management Program (AMP) team and assists the AMP Coordinator with the implementation of various program elements, as needed, to achieve objectives in the program's operational plans and to achieve goals, policies, strategies, and objectives in the Agency Strategic Plan, particularly as they relate to alligators and crocodiles and their habitats. The incumbent shall assist with statewide field operations and stakeholder engagement, such as outreach events. The incumbent also serves as the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) in-house biologist to assist with items such as reviewing and responding to requests for removal of nuisance alligators under four feet. The incumbent is responsible for helping to coordinate and implement other program elements such as the Private Lands and the Crocodile Response Programs.

The incumbent aids with developing plans, approaches, and procedures for achieving program objectives. The incumbent participates in the collection of night-light alligator survey data via airboat for establishing harvest quotas and monitoring the population trends for potential impacts of harvests as well as the implementation of the Public Waters Egg Collection Program. The incumbent assists in the permit issuance, management, and reconciliation processes for the Private Lands Program, in addition to the potential creation and maintenance of shapefiles, layers and geodatabases, and map development using ArcGIS, Google Earth, and Microsoft platforms for management and permitting purposes. The incumbent assists with records management for various alligator and crocodile related databases maintained by the AMP. The incumbent assists with providing responses to questions of a biological and/or technical nature received from the public about the various alligator and crocodile related program elements managed by the AMP.

The incumbent will coordinate alligator and crocodile-related outreach activities. The incumbent shall monitor, maintain and schedule service for Commission property, vehicles, vessels and equipment, and perform other duties as assigned. Within one year of hire date, the incumbent is expected to pass the FWC “Boating Safety,” “Airboat Training,” and “Trailer Training”, along with any other trainings that may be required. Any expenses, equipment, and work time associated with these courses will be covered by the AMP.

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. 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.

Broadband Code:  19-1023-02

Class Code:  5028

Class Title:  OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Pay rate:  $19.23/hr and potential for health benefits

Region:  South Region

County:  Okeechobee

Working Hours:  8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday-Friday; a flexible work schedule may be required during field season.

List of Subordinates Supervised:  None

Residency Requirement:  None; Florida residents preferred

Minimum Qualifications:   

Five years' experience in a life or physical science.

A bachelor's degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the five years required experience.

Must have a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of alligator and crocodile habitat requirements and life history and principles and practices for their management is preferred.
• Ability to pass a level 1 background check.
• Ability to travel throughout the state of Florida.
• Ability to complete FWC trailering and vessel operation certification courses.
• Ability to operate a vessel at night using a spotlight and navigate following a GPS track route.
• Ability to work weekends and long hours on the water between April and August.
• Ability to independently implement Alligator Management Program elements.
• Ability to work and make appropriate decisions with little supervision.
• Ability to analyze complex issues and problems and develop innovative, efficacious solutions.
• Ability to contribute to formulation of coherent, effective policies and procedures and to incorporate biological, administrative, ethical, social, and political considerations in formulation of those policies and procedures.
• Ability to determine work priorities, elicit cooperation as necessary to achieve objectives, and ensure proper completion of work assignments and program activities.
• Ability to understand, comply with, and apply rules, policies, and procedures applicable to the conduct of a Commission employee and to the implementation and administration of Alligator Management Program elements.
• Ability to communicate with your supervisor and the Alligator Management Standing Team effectively verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of correct English composition, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of scientific methods, study designs, principals of statistical inference and analysis, and application of computer-based data analysis packages.
• Skill in the use and proper maintenance of scientific laboratory and field equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships in working with others.
• Ability to use MS Word, MS Excel, ArcGIS, and database software packages.

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.