OPS F & W BS III - 77902342

Requisition No: 843140 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BS III - 77902342

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902342 

Salary:  $23.44 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/08/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

FWC Mission Statement:  Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Working Title: OPS Python Management Specialist

Salary: $23.44/hour (not to exceed 1,920 hours annually), 40 Hours a week

Position number: 77902342

Broadband/Class Code: 19-1023-02

Level of Education: Minimum: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences is preferred.

Region: South

Working hours: 40hrs/week, occasional nights and weekend required. Overnight travel may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: None

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division: Habitat and Species Conservation

Section: Wildlife Impact Management

Sub-section:  Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program

Location Address: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Wildlife Impact Management Section, 10052 NW 53rd St.Sunrise, FL 33351

Supervisor:

Zac Chejanovski; Interagency Python Management Coordinator

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Wildlife Impact Management Section

Minimum Qualifications:

Prefer a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional experience as described above.

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.

Description of Position:

The Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program within the Wildlife Impact Management Section of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation (HSC) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as the Python Management Specialist. Primary responsibilities will be to assist the Interagency Python Management Coordinator with project development and refinement, project management, and contractor oversight. The incumbent will be responsible for communicating with vendors, contractors and researchers, verifying and processing project deliverables and invoices, conducting field site visits to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions, and other duties as assigned by the supervisor. This position also provides support to other Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program initiatives including, but not limited to communicating with the public about nonnative fish and wildlife, assisting with implementation of the annual Florida Python Challenge™, conducting Python Patrol and other trainings, nonnative species removal surveys, attending public workshops, and assisting with early detection/rapid response and coordination for a variety of nonnative taxa as needed.

The incumbent may be required to travel throughout the state (primarily south and southwest regions) to work with contractors, attend meetings, and to interact with partners engaged in Burmese python and other nonnative species control and management. The incumbent should be able to work independently and have an ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders with varying perspectives.

Additional duties will include:

• Assisting the Interagency Python Management Coordinator and Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator as needed;
• Assisting with python-related public or partner workshops and meetings;

• Assisting with writing project summaries, quarterly or annual reports in a timely manner;
• Conducting other activities and tasks as necessary to support other 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.

In carrying out duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware of 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.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position: 

• Ability to work independently and multitask when needed;
• Demonstrated skill in public speaking, and written and verbal communications;
• Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service; 
• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation; 
• Familiarity with nonnative species issues;
• Ability to organize and schedule meetings and public events;
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
• Ability to use ESRI ArcGIS;

• Ability to positively and effectively work with and communicate with stakeholders and coworkers.

Desired qualifications include:

• Ability and desire to be open-minded while working with a team of biologists to develop long-term solutions to nonnative wildlife management challenges;
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences;
• Ability to multi-task as well as work without close supervision when needed;
• Computer experience (MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel, and MS Outlook);
• Experience with ESRI Survey123 and other smart device applications;
• Experience with Program R;
• Ability to travel less than 25% of the time.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid driver’s license

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
• Potential to participate in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

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.