OPS Biological Scientist IV - 77902251

Requisition No: 854445 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV - 77902251

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902251 

Salary:  $24.04 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 06/29/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV - 77902251

Position Number: 77902251

Class Title: OPS Fish and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV                         

Office/Section: HSC, Office Conservation Planning Services, Land Use Planning      

Broadband Code: 19-1023-04

Pay Grade/Pay Band: 012

Salary: $24.04/hour

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Working hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., not to exceed 40 hours/week

List of any subordinates supervised: none

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

Percent of Travel Required: +/- 25%

Years of Experience Desired: 3+

Supervisor: Laura DiGruttolo

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. 

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.

Description of Duties:

The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Office of Conservation Planning Services is seeking a fish and wildlife professional to serve in a coordination role for the Division’s shorebird and seabird conservation program.  The focus of this position is on improving conditions for Florida’s beach-nesting birds through coordination with staff to implement conservation actions.

The biologist in this position will have a lead role in implementing conservation measures and permitting guidelines for imperiled beach nesting birds.  Primary responsibilities will include working with subject matter experts to develop tools and resources to implement protection measures for imperiled beach nesting birds, building internal support throughout the agency, creating staff training materials and technical assistance resources, developing outreach and messaging for external partner agencies, and engaging with stakeholders.  The person in this role will coordinate the continuing implementation of regulatory protections and closely with other government entities and partner organizations.   

Successful candidates will have experience collaborating with entities of varying interests during state and federal regulatory processes and demonstrate strong skills in conflict management.  Candidates should also have experience providing leadership support to multiple teams, and strong organizational skills.

This position serves as staff in the Land Use Planning Program of the Office of Conservation Planning Services (OCPS) and as such will help to facilitate cross-divisional implementation of conservation measures and permitting guidelines for imperiled beach-nesting birds and other state-listed species.  OCPS coordinates with and provides technical assistance to a wide array of stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental entities and private landowners, on issues related to the conservation of Florida’s imperiled species and their habitats.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires advanced communication skills, ability to collaborate across workgroups and with other organizations, project management experience, and experience leading teams.  Knowledge of and experience with beach-nesting birds, imperiled species, and coastal ecosystems is highly preferred.  Desired minimum qualifications include:

• Seven years of relevant experience. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the seven years of required experience.
• Knowledge of Florida’s Threatened and Endangered species management system and associated rules.
• Conservation project management experience. 
• Strong leadership, facilitation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and to lead teams to project completion.  
• Ability to provide clear, timely, and effective updates on multiple projects and efforts.  
• Experience writing and reviewing technical documents, experience with programs that conserve imperiled species or their habitats, and familiarity with land use applications and/or permits. 
• Shorebird and seabird monitoring experience preferred.

A cover letter and resume must be included with the application package.  For questions regarding this position, contact Laura DiGruttolo at Laura.Digruttolo@MyFWC.com or (850) 728-5147.

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.