FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77000736

Requisition No: 856702 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77000736

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000736 

Salary:  $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 08/07/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77000736

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,730.77 + benefits

Supervisor: Justin Van Gorder

Supervisor contact information for inquiries: 850-717-8734, justin.vangorder@myfwc.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Position location: 5300 High Bridge Road, Quincy, Fl 32351

Region: NW

County: Liberty

Working hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, may require some night or weekend duty. Occasional overnight travel is required.

List of any subordinates supervised: 1 Fish/Wildlife Technician and 1 Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Residency Requirement: Within 25 miles of Joe Budd WMA

Agency information:

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.

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: Minimum of a Class E Florida driver’s license and obtain and maintain Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Certification.

Preferred qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience in conducting wildlife surveys with an emphasis on game species, analyzing data, and summarizing results.
• Experience with the use of ArcGIS and GPS and its application.
• Possess proficient writing skills.
• Ability to operate and maintain 4WD vehicles and ATVs.
• Ability to work independently and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to work efficiently in a team of diverse people with differing backgrounds.
• Experience with supervision of others on the job.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal customers.
• Skill in use of Microsoft Office software (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

Strong land management skills are required to evaluate habitat conditions and to plan, prescribe and complete appropriate habitat treatments. Applicant must have applied knowledge of wildlife populations and habitat management techniques in Florida, particularly the application of prescribed fire and mechanical and chemical vegetation control. GIS and other technological skills are also requisite for this level of land management. Job requirements therefore consist of the KSAs described above, or a solid foundation of habitat management in Florida, coupled with the motivation, initiative, and proclivity to develop and apply the KSAs listed above. 

Description of duties:

The FWC’s Northwest Region Wildlife and Habitat Management Section is seeking a highly motivated lead area biologist to plan, develop, and implement management activities to manage wildlife populations, improve wildlife habitat and provide public recreational opportunities on Telogia Creek Wildlife Management Area in Liberty County. Specific duties include: collection, manipulations, analysis, and presentation of biological data; providing oversight and participating in habitat management activities including prescribed fire; developing and promoting public use programs, including public hunt operation and non-hunting uses; setting management objectives consistent with agency directives; developing plans; developing and managing budgets; and writing reports and technical papers. Candidates will need to excel at communication and have a strong drive to succeed.

The incumbent plans and implements effective and cost-efficient habitat management practices, such as prescribed burning, upland and wetland restoration, mechanical and chemical vegetation treatments, oversight of timber operations, and other projects; plans, develops, and coordinates projects to facilitate public use, such as road construction and maintenance, establishment of parking areas, culvert installation and repair, and construction and maintenance of boundary and interior fences and gates; develops and oversees bid specifications, contracts, and monitoring of vendor compliance; completes annual work plans, budget proposals, performance reports, accomplishment reports and other administrative tasks; coordinates public hunting and other recreational activities, including coordination and operation of check stations; designs and conducts population surveys of selected species using scientifically accepted techniques, including data analysis and report writing; 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; responds to nuisance bear complaints, reports of road killed bears, and other wildlife issues within assigned area as needed; completes other duties or assists on other areas as assigned.

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.