FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000234

Requisition No: 884833 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000234

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000234 

Salary:  $1,576.92 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 10/25/2026 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number:77000234

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,576.92 + benefits

For inquiries: Scotland.Talley@myfwc.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Class Code: 5028

Position Location: 5629 State Road 16 West, Starke, FL 32091

Region: North Central

County: Clay

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

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: 25 mile radius of Camp Blanding WMA, due to after-hours nuisance bear response requirement.

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 is for a Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section (WHM) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Minimum Qualifications: A high school diploma and 5 years of 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.

Additional requirements:

• Will be required to obtain and maintain a Florida Driver’s License and Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Certification.
• Overnight travel associated with training and meeting events will be required.

Preferred qualifications: Prefer Bachelor of Science degree with a major in a physical or life science or a Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences.

Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Experience with prescribed burning is preferred.

• Knowledge and experience 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.
• Knowledge of Florida’s natural communities and able to identify the species commonly associated with these communities, as well as identify non-native invasive species occurring in these communities.
• Knowledge of silvicultural techniques used in restoration of natural communities.
• 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.).

Description of Duties: An exciting opportunity exists to serve as a Cooperative Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist, providing assistance to the Florida Forest Service, Camp Blanding, and the St. Johns River Water Management District, the lead managing agencies with the planning, development, and implementation of management programs on eight Wildlife Management Areas. The applicant should be highly motivated and willing to assist a productive team with the challenge of managing wildlife habitat and public recreational opportunities on 120,000+ acres of conservation land in Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties.

• Assist with prescribed fire operations, nuisance animal issues, and check station operation, wildlife surveys and habitat management on the Camp Blanding and Catlett Wildlife Management areas.
• Assist the St. Johns River Water Management District with administration of public recreation on the Thomas Creek-King’s Road Unit.
• Provide recommendations to the lead agency and assist where possible to implement effective and cost-efficient projects that maintain or enhance wildlife habitat, such as food plots, prescribed burning, nonnative plant control, and mechanical treatments.
• Implement public hunt programs, including facilitating public access, assisting hunters and other public users, and coordinating with the lead agency regarding the administration of hunting opportunities and area-specific hunting regulations.
• Assist with developing bid specifications, overseeing contracts, and monitoring vendor compliance.
• Assist with annual work plans, budget proposals, accomplishment reports, and other administrative tasks.
• Assist with public hunting and other recreational activities, including coordination and operation of check stations.
• Conduct population surveys of wildlife species using scientifically accepted techniques, including data analysis and report writing.
• Survey habitat types and monitor changes that take place in vegetative communities.
• Accurately and routinely submit reports of activity and accomplishments using online databases and ArcGIS.
• Provide supervisor with information, recommendations, and justification for regulations governing public use on the WMA based on sound biological and sociological principles.
• Provide technical assistance to individuals, organizations and other agencies regarding wildlife biology and wildlife habitat management.
• Participate in seminars and workshops relating to wildlife resource management.
• Respond to nuisance bear complaints, reports of road killed bears, and other wildlife issues within assigned area.
• Complete other duties or assist on other areas as assigned.

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.