FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77001067

Requisition No: 860916 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77001067

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001067 

Salary:  $1,945.56 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 09/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77001067

Location: Tallahassee, other FWC offices considered

Salary: $1,945.56 bi-weekly + benefits

Supervisor: Ty Hardymon

Broadband code: 19-1023-04

Class code: 5075

Region: Northwest, other FWC Regions considered

Class Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

County: Leon

Working Hours: Monday – Friday 8-5, with occasional non-standard hours

List of subordinates supervised: 2 OPS Biological Scientist III

Residency requirement: Florida

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and seven years of professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program are required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the seven years of required experience.

Preferred qualifications: A Bachelor of Science degree in one of the biological sciences and three years of professional biological experience. At least one year of professional avian conservation experience and at least one year of supervisory and project leader experience in conservation programs are strongly preferred. A Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences is strongly preferred

This is a full-time employment position that is eligible for all career service state employee benefits, including paid leave, health insurance, retirement benefits, tuition waivers for continuing education, and numerous agency trainings for professional development.

To apply: In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, a resume and cover letter must be attached describing your interest in this position and relevant experience.

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

Description of Duties

The Protected Species Permitting Biologist works on a dynamic team to positively affect protected species conservation throughout Florida. Primary duties include reviewing permit applications and ensuring permits for state-listed species are issued or denied in accordance with FWC rules, policies, and applicable statutes; coordinating with regional biologists and other subject matter experts on issues related to permitting; providing customer service to stakeholders and permit applicants; collecting, synthesizing, and reporting on permitting-related data; and performing other duties as assigned. The position requires the ability to work quickly and thoroughly under tight regulatory timelines, while being polite when engaging the public and partners. The incumbent must work with subject matter experts to determine whether proposed conservation actions will offset potential impacts to species and are consistent with Florida law. The incumbent may be assigned additional permitting duties as needed.

The incumbent is expected to be able to communicate about species biology, conservation actions, how to minimize impacts, associated laws, and the permitting process. The incumbent will communicate with the public and partners via phone, email, Teams, and occasionally in person. The incumbent will work as part of a team implementing protections for imperiled species through permitting and application of listed-species protections.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for the Position:

• Knowledge of Florida’s wildlife and their management needs, with emphasis on listed wildlife
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and co-workers
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Data management skills, including experience with Excel
• Ability to manage time effectively and respond to inquiries efficiently
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and co-workers

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in wildlife conservation
• General ecological knowledge of Florida’s imperiled wildlife
• Knowledge of Florida’s rules related to state threatened species, the Federal Endangered Species Act
• Experience in permitting
• Supervisory skills, including setting clear expectations, establishing a positive work environment, and maintaining accountability. Knowledge of the principles of adaptive leadership.

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.