FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000965

Requisition No: 842766 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000965

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000965 

Salary:  agency to update 

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Section: Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management – Northwest Region

Working Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000965

Salary: Anticipated biweekly salary: $1538.47 plus benefits

Location: Joe Budd field Office – 5300 High Bridge Road, Quincy FL 32351

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.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position is part of a regional team with FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management and serves as the Fisheries Biologist II in the Northwest Region. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain and assist in the collection of qualitative and quantitative data of fisheries populations, aquatic plant communities, and Northwest Florida regional freshwater resources.
• Assists regional biological staff with the development and implementation of fisheries management goals related to Northwest Region resources including but not limited to stakeholder interaction, habitat enhancement, data analysis, applied fisheries sampling, techniques, and science, coordinating with cooperators and other governmental agencies, and promotional and educational opportunities.
• Work with Division of Freshwater Fisheries Research, Habitat and Species Conservation’s Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Section and Invasive Plant Management Section personnel to design, permit and accomplish habitat maintenance and improvement projects.
• Assists in developing partnerships in aquatic resource management projects with federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders.
• Establishes and maintains stakeholder contacts with anglers, fish camps, local governmental officials, tackle shop owners, fishing guides, outdoor media, fishing clubs, Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s), etc. to ensure effective, two-way communication relative to FWC programs and projects.
• Data compilation, management, and analysis.
• Drafting/editing of quarterly and annual reports.
• Operates/maintains habitat-barge vessel, electro-fishing boats, creel survey boats, outboard motors, trailers, and all other required sampling equipment.
   
  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of the principles of fish and wildlife ecology and management
• Knowledge of Florida’s freshwater fish and aquatic plants
• Knowledge of fish and wildlife habitat restoration
• Knowledge of fish and wildlife research applications
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software applications
• Skilled in the use of scientific and field equipment
• Skilled in vessel and trailer operation
• Skilled in personnel development
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to work with internal and external technical personnel, managers, government officials, riparian landowners, and other stakeholders
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to fish and wildlife management
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and in remote locations
• Ability to travel overnight and work flexible hours to meet project objectives

Minimum Qualifications:
 

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license
• 2 years of professional experience in a closely related fisheries biological field or laboratory program is required.
• Must possess a valid boaters safety education identification card prior to operating any agency vessel. The selected employee must already possess a boater safety card or be willing and able to obtain one within 30 days of hiring.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year 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, preferably in the fisheries sciences, can substitute for the required experience. 

Requirements:

• Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. 
   

• Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework.

 Why should I apply?

If you are looking to work with a team of professional fisheries biologists that manage a variety of rivers, reservoirs, and lakes in Florida’s scenic northwestern panhandle, and that are passionate and highly motivated about the conservation of sportfish and Species of Greatest Conservation Need, this is the position to consider.  This position is also a path to pursue a master’s degree in applied fisheries sciences as well as further your basic fisheries skills for the betterment of your career.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions.

• State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.

• As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.

• Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly

• No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

• Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year

• 4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrued Biweekly

• Retirement Plan Options

• State University and College Tuition Waiver Program

• On the Job Training courses to advance your career.

• Support for family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees.

• Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons because we understand the importance of giving back to the community.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

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.