OPS Biological Scientist III - 77900631

Requisition No: 840098 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist III - 77900631

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77900631 

Salary:  23.44 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/17/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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

Position Number: 77900631 

Location: Russell Office Park, 1875 Orange Avenue East, Tallahassee, FL

Salary: $23.44/hour + benefits (not to exceed 1,920 hours per fiscal year)

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Supervisor: Natalie Montero-McAllister, Imperiled Species Policy Administrator

Broadband: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Region: Northwest

Class Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

County: Leon

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

Residency requirement: Florida

Level of Education: Prefer a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience. Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience strongly preferred.  Years of experience can substitute for a degree.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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

OPS employment description: This is an OPS (Other Personnel Services) position. Employees in OPS positions are paid for the number of hours they work, do not receive any paid leave, paid holidays, or participation in the Florida Retirement System. OPS employees do have the potential to receive health insurance benefits. 

Description of Duties:

The Imperiled Species Policy Biologist serves as a key member of a team overseeing conservation of state-listed species and Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The individual in this position has the opportunity to significantly impact conservation outcomes for imperiled wildlife.

This position works with team members on development and implementation of conservation policies, rulemaking, projects for imperiled species, and other media that support development and implementation of conservation policies. Successful implementation of conservation plans and policies depends on strong stakeholder relationships, ongoing public support, and continued coordination among the diverse set of partners with which FWC works. The incumbent assists with implementation of the listing process and serves as a point of contact for agency staff from other sections and divisions, other government organizations, stakeholders, and the public. This includes assisting with conducting workshops and webinars and facilitating internal and external meetings to develop and implement conservation policies.

The Imperiled Species Policy Biologist demonstrates self-confidence, an outgoing personality, and passion about public participation in government decision-making processes. They apply knowledge of wildlife biology and ecology to improve conservation outcomes. The individual in this position requires passion for conservation and can work creatively to address conservation challenges.

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner, by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Florida’s fish and wildlife, ecology, and natural communities.
• Knowledge of state and national conservation programs, including Florida’s imperiled species management system and listing process.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to design, coordinate, implement and evaluate a variety of effective stakeholder engagement strategies and techniques.
• Strong ability to communicate articulately and with influence both in writing and orally to large and small groups.
• Ability to work independently to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments within deadlines.
• Skilled in excellent organizational management (time management, project management), problem solving, meeting planning and group facilitation.
• Skilled in the use of multi-media to convey information, solicit information and provide a forum for sharing ideas.
• Knowledge of principles of adaptive leadership and collaborative governance.
• Ability to work well with a variety of personalities, with persons of varied levels of wildlife conservation understanding, and understand multiple stakeholder views.
• Skilled in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, data management and digital content accessibility.
• Ability to occasionally travel overnight to complete job tasks.

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
• Employment 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.

Location: TALLAHASSEE, FL, US, 32311

Nearest Major Market: Tallahassee

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.