OPS F & W BS II - 77902342

Requisition No: 867766 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BS II - 77902342

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902342 

Salary:  $21.35 an hour 1920 hours a fiscal year 

Posting Closing Date: 02/01/2026 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77902342

Position Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Hourly Rate: $21.35 an hour (not to exceed 1,920 hours annually)

Supervisor: Kodiak Hengstebeck, Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV - Interagency Python Management Coordinator.  Contact information for inquiries: Kodiak.Hengstebeck@MyFWC.com, 786-526-4726

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Position location: Sunrise, FL

Region: South

County: Broward

Working hours: M-F 40hrs/week, survey schedule for field days varies depending on season (7am - 4pm fall/winter & 4pm -1am spring/summer), full office days are typically 8am-5pm, frequent nights and occasional weekends required. Overnight travel may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: None

Agency information:

Our organization:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) envisions a Florida where native 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 (HSC) is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife Impact Management Section (WIM) of the FWC’s Division of HSC.

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 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.

Additional requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. A valid driver’s license is required. In addition to submitting a completed State application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position. Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System. Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

Preferred qualifications:

• Ability to work with large, nonnative constrictor snakes including assisting in care of captive educational-use constrictors;
• Ability to humanely kill constrictors and train others on proper procedures;
• Experience handling potentially dangerous wildlife;
• Experience with ArcGIS;
• Ability to multi-task as well as work without close supervision when needed;
• Knowledge of nonnative fish and wildlife issues in Florida;
• Ability and desire to be open-minded while working with a team of biologists to develop long-term solutions to nonnative wildlife management challenges;
• Experience with public speaking

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation;
• Computer experience with MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in field conditions;
• Ability to handle wild animals, including reptiles;
• Demonstrated working knowledge and experience handling and caring for captive wildlife;
• Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;
• Demonstrated skill in public speaking, and written and verbal communications;
• Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service; 
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
• Ability to drive a 4WD truck;
• Ability to travel less than 25% of the time.

Description of Duties: 

The Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program within the Wildlife Impact Management Section (WIM) of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation (HSC) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as a Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist II. Primary responsibilities of this position focus on nonnative fish and wildlife surveys for Burmese pythons and other large, nonnative constrictor snakes, husbandry of invasive pythons and other reptiles used for training and outreach, conducting safe-capture demonstrations with large constrictors for other FWC staff, volunteers, partners and the public, collecting and entering data into databases, QA/QC of data, and assisting the Interagency Python Management Coordinator with summarizing results of the contractor program or other programmatic needs. Additional responsibilities may include assisting with Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) for high priority nonnative fish and wildlife, conducting field work for nonnative fish and wildlife projects, checking traps, and assisting in nonnative fish and wildlife outreach events or trainings, such as Python Patrol and the Florida Python Challenge™. This position also provides support to other Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program initiatives as needed.

The incumbent will be required to travel throughout the state (primarily South region) to work with contractors, respond to occasional EDRR efforts, and assist with field projects and outreach events. The incumbent should be able to work with a team and independently.

Primary duties will include:

• Conducting field work to survey for and capture wild Burmese pythons and other large nonnative constrictor species;
• Conducting husbandry of outreach and training animals;
• Humanely killing nonnative wildlife using approved methods;
• Assisting with python-related public or partner workshops and meetings;
• Collecting, entering, and organizing data on all field activities;
• Quality assurance and quality control of data;
• Assisting the Interagency Python Management Coordinator and the Python Management Specialist as needed.

This position will include driving throughout the South region, working as part of a team, working independently, and requires an ability to trouble-shoot situations.

Additional duties may include:

• Checking and setting traps, and removing native species bycatch and invasive species;
• Assisting with EDRR efforts for nonnative fish and wildlife;
• Assisting with invasive species removal, population assessment, and field work;
• Serving as a crew member on FWC vessels in waters of the state and adjacent federal waters;
• Documenting activities in written summary reports using basic statistical analyses, graphs, and tables;
• Assisting with trainings related to nonnative fish and wildlife issues;
• Conducting other activities and tasks as necessary to support HSC staff in the region;
• Responding to other human-wildlife conflict issues as needed;
• The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor, Field Operations Coordinator, Program Coordinator, or Section Leader.

In carrying out duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware and abide by the Commission's standards of conduct, as well as any and all Commission rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.

It is expected that all FWC employees courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have on matters relating to the Commission, its programs, or fish and wildlife conservation in general; and garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

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.