FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000948

Requisition No: 849132 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000948

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000948 

Salary:  $1,538.46 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 04/10/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Anticipated Vacancy

Position Number: 77000948

Location: 663 Plantation Road, Perry, FL 32348

Salary: $1,538.46 bi-weekly + benefits

Supervisor & Position Number: Mitch Haag (77000919)

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Class Code: 5028

Region: North Central

County: Taylor

Working Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm, with weekend and after-hours work occasionally required

Residency Requirement: None

List of Subordinates Supervised: Seasonal OPS employees and volunteers

Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Will be required to obtain and maintain a Florida Class E Driver’s License and Florida Prescribed Burn Manager Certification. Occasional overnight travel.

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 Qualifications: A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the life/physical sciences, Preference will be given to applicants with experience in prescribed fire, native and non-native plant management, and wildlife monitoring.

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.

Description of Duties: An exciting opportunity exists for a Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II to join a team within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section to assist with the management of Big Bend Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and other WMAs as needed. We are seeking a highly motivated applicant that is willing to assist a productive team with the challenge of managing wildlife habitat and public recreational opportunities on 90,000+ acres of conservation land in Taylor and Dixie Counties.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting lead area biologists in developing and implementing management programs for the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area.
• Assists with planning and implementing effective habitat management practices, such as prescribed burning, upland and wetland restoration, mechanical and chemical vegetation treatments, oversight of timber operations, water level manipulations, and other projects.
• Assists with planning, developing, and coordinating projects to facilitate public use, such as road construction and maintenance, culvert installation and repair, and construction and maintenance of boundary and interior fences and gates.
• Assists with developing bid specifications, overseeing contracts, and monitoring vendor compliance.
• Assists with the completion of annual work plans, budget proposals, accomplishment reports and other administrative tasks.
• Assists with public hunting and other recreational activities, including coordination and operation of check stations.
• Conducts wildlife population surveys using scientifically accepted techniques, including data analysis and report writing.
• Accurately and routinely submits reports of activity and accomplishments using online databases and ArcGIS.
• Surveys habitat types and monitors changes that take place in vegetative communities.
• Provides technical assistance to individuals, organizations and other agencies regarding wildlife biology and wildlife habitat management.
• Proposes regulations based on sound biological and sociological principles.
• Participates in seminars and workshops relating to wildlife resource management.
• Completes other duties or assists on other areas as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Kowledge of prescribed burning

• Knowledge in conducting wildlife surveys, including game and nongame species, collecting and analyzing data, and summarizing results
• Knowledge of habitat restoration techniques, fire ecology, and plant succession
• Applied knowledge of chemical or mechanical control of invasive vegetation
• Ability to operate and maintain 4WD vehicles, farm tractors and implements, ATVs, and outboard motors
• Ability to work independently and in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to work efficiently in a team of diverse people with differing backgrounds
• Ability to plan and prioritize multiple work assignments
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners

• Familiarity with common outdoor recreation activities
• Ability to write, edit, and produce scientific reports and summaries
• Ability to use hand tools, including chainsaws, power tools, auger, etc.
• Knowledge of GIS software (ArcMap, ArcPro) and handheld GPS units and their applications
• Skill in use of Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Access, etc.)

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.