OPS Fish & Wildlife Bio Scientist II - 77902465

Requisition No: 854582 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish & Wildlife Bio Scientist II - 77902465

 Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 77902465 

Salary:  $19.23 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 06/23/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Working Title: OPS Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist

Salary: $19.23/hour; 40 Hours a week

Pay Plan: Seasonal (July 1 to October 30, 2025)

Position number: 77902465

Broadband/Class Code: 19-1023-02/5028

This is a seasonal OPS position that is not eligible for Health benefits

Region: South

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F, 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

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

Supervisor: Kristan Godbeer, Wildlife Impact Management Section, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist IV-Contracts Manager.

It is anticipated that 2 positions (position # 77902465 and position # 77902248) will be hired through this advertisement

In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and a cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.

Cover letters and resumes shall be uploaded to the People First System.

Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

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.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Eligible candidates must be willing to obtain and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

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 Requirements: A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the life/physical sciences is preferred.

The Wildlife Impact Management Section is seeking two energetic and motivated candidates, to help address nonnative fish and wildlife in Florida. This is a remote work from home, field-based position, located in the Florida City area, and includes occasional driving of state vehicles to the FWC Sunrise office.  This is a seasonal position that will run from July 1 to October 30, 2025. The incumbent will focus on removing Argentine black and white tegus from public lands southwest of Florida City and will be responsible for professional representation of the agency and maintaining good working relationships with the public and partners.  This region is particularly important for tegu management due to its proximity to nesting sites of imperiled species, such as American crocodiles, least terns, white-crowned pigeons, gopher tortoises, burrowing owls, and its proximity to Everglades National Park and other sensitive public lands.

• Primary duties will include: Opening and closing live traps in rural locations on a daily basis, maintaining bait in traps, releasing by-catch from trapping efforts unharmed, safely and humanely removing nonnative wildlife from traps, live trap repair and construction;
• Humanely killing nonnative wildlife using approved methods;
• Collecting, entering, and organizing data on all field activities into the Section’s database;
• Quality assurance and quality control of data;
• Maintaining and entering vehicles logs, using a state purchasing card, and submitting purchase receipts;

The position will include driving state vehicles on unpaved roads on public lands, working independently, and requires an ability to solve problems in the field. Knowledge of both native and nonnative reptiles in Florida and experience handling nonnative and potentially dangerous wildlife is preferred.

Additional duties may include:

• Assisting with Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) efforts for nonnative fish and wildlife;
• Conducting other activities and tasks as necessary to support other Habitat and Species Conservation staff in the region.

The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.

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:  

• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation;
• Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;
• Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service; 
• Familiarity with nonnative species issues;
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
• Ability to drive a 4WD truck off-road;
• Experience working with the public or stakeholder representatives;

Desired qualifications include:

• Experience handling wildlife;
• Experience with wildlife trapping techniques;
• Experience with public speaking;
• Demonstrated working knowledge and experience handling and caring for captive wildlife; 
• Ability to identify native and nonnative wildlife in Florida;
• Ability to multi-task as well as work without close supervision when needed;
• Computer experience (MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and Outlook);
• Ability to travel less than 25%.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Florida driver’s license by time of position start date.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

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

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

Any form of paid leave

• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

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.