OPS- F & W BS III - 77909044

Requisition No: 865284 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS- F & W BS III - 77909044

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77909044 

Salary:  $23.44 an hour 1920 hours a fiscal year 

Posting Closing Date: 12/28/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77909044

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

OPS Hourly Rate $23.44 an hour

Supervisor: Nick Vitale

Supervisor contact information for inquiries, (phone and or email)

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code:5074

Position location: Panama City, FL

Region: Northwest

County: Bay

Working hours: 7:00am – 4:00pm

List of any subordinates supervised: none

Residency Requirement: None

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.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife Diversity Conservation section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum qualifications:

A high school diploma and 6 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 6 years of required experience.

Additional requirements:

• Experience with scientific data collection, data management, and reporting.
• Knowledge of shorebird biology and applied experience with monitoring, implementing conservation actions, and adaptive management.
• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, including long (8-12 hour) days engaging in physically demanding work, outdoors and in all weather conditions.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience leading field missions, and using wildlife monitoring tools (e.g., game cameras, band resighting, GPS).
• Experience with towing and operation of vessels and UTVs.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Data management experience.
• Experience creating data products, reports, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain working relationships.

In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, please attach a cover letter. Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Description of Duties:

FWC is seeking an energetic and collaborative individual to serve as a Shorebird Biologist for Tyndall Critical Wildlife Area and surrounding areas. The position engages in year-round monitoring of focal shorebird and seabird species and collaborates with partners to reduce threats to nesting birds. The position monitors breeding and nonbreeding shorebirds, manages data, creates data products, and drafts reports and presentations to inform shorebird conservation and management actions.

The biologist will work collaboratively with a regional team and often independently in the field to achieve conservation and management goals. The position is primarily field based and will collect data targeting specific information needs, lead field monitoring at assigned sites and other data gathering activities. This individual will assist in report writing and will present monitoring results to stakeholders and partners. The individual will also be responsible for logistics associated with all aspects of field operations, including shorebird surveys, posting signage, regular maintenance of vehicles and equipment, as well as coordination with partners and regular service volunteers. 

The Shorebird Biologist is part of an active network of partners including volunteers, partner agencies, land managers, and conservation professionals that work together to achieve monitoring and management goals for imperiled shorebirds in Florida.

Position is funded by multi-year grants (>5 years).

This is a full-time OPS (Other Personnel Services) position. OPS employees are paid for the number of hours they work, but do not receive any form of 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  

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• 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.

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.