OPS Biological Scientist IV - 77907729 1

Requisition No: 852460 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist IV - 77907729 1

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77907729 

Salary:  $27.00 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 05/16/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 

Biological Scientist IV – OPS Position  

$27 per hour 

8932 Apalachee Pkwy  
Tallahassee, FL 32311 

 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 

Biological Scientist IV - OPS 77907729 

Tallahassee, Florida - $27 per hour 

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. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

7 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program can substitute for the required bachelor’s degree is required. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and three years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or  A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional experience as described above; or A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and one year od professional experience as described above can substitute for the required experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications:  

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications: One or more years of working in state or federal government. 

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.  

Submit a resume and cover letter with the People First application. Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment. 

  
Position Overview and Responsibilities: 

The Fish and Wildlife Health (FWH) Subsection at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is seeking a wildlife health and data specialist to serve in a leadership role and function as part of an integrated Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) team in the surveillance for and response to CWD in Florida. The incumbent will assist CWD surveillance by working with biologists, landowners, hunters, taxidermists, processors, and others to conduct passive and active CWD surveillance in the Enhanced Surveillance Zone and statewide. Active surveillance responsibilities will include developing and implementing efficient methods of collecting samples to include incentive programs (for hunters and biologists), development and implementation of road transects, and overseeing the program to compensate taxidermists and processors for sample collection. The incumbent will use the Cornell Hazard model to set county quotas each year. Additionally, the incumbent will apply for, track, and manage grants in support of CWD surveillance and response. 

The incumbent will maintain the CWD Surveillance data entry form in Survey123 for entering CWD sample data and upload data into results into the CWD Warehouse, use python scripts to automate the synchronization of CWD data in various outlets including ArcGIS Online, CWD Data Warehouse, and FWC’s SQL Server database used by the CWD Results Web Application, and use R code to automatically update tables with metrics of interest for situation reports. The incumbent will also maintain the application for communicating CWD test results back to hunters (MyFWC.com/CWDResults) and continue to use several QA/QC processes to ensure the integrity of FWC’s CWD data. Additionally, the incumbent will migrate historic CWD data into the CWD Warehouse, oversee the Wildlife Health freezer custodian program and pick-up log, and assist with other aspects of surveillance and response including map development, presentation preparation, and various task forces as needed. 

The incumbent will provide relational database construction and technical assistance for deer and other wildlife necropsy, diagnostic, and sample data. These services include ESRI product tool development and assistance in the design and implementation of relational databases to ensure data quality. This assistance may be in the form of recommending appropriate tools, methods, and software and discussions of relevant database issues. The incumbent will also ensure appropriate agency policies and procedures are followed for metadata generation, data storage, software selection, and security. The incumbent will lead the development of a primary (online) reporting mechanism for sick/dead deer and other wildlife species. 

This is a supervisory position and is responsible for various administrative tasks associated with agency operations. Duties include preparing and reviewing itineraries, travel vouchers, purchase order requisitions, monitoring inventories and purchasing supplies and equipment; managing budgets, preparing vehicle operation reports, and other routine administrative reports; representing the FWC on CWD matters at public meetings, technical meetings, conferences, and workshops; and other routine tasks as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Knowledge in: the areas of relational database development, data storage, and data standards.  An understanding of research problems from the perspective of a biologist or resource manager. An understanding of wildlife diseases and basic epidemiology. 

Skills in: Excel, Access, R, Python, ArcGIS, and SQL, developing and constructing relational databases as well as knowledge of ESRI products.   

Abilities to: use personal computers running current Microsoft operating systems; translate research needs into queryable, relational databases that are capable of interacting with low-code solutions like ESRI Survey123 or MS Power Apps; produce databases in a manner that will allow them to be easily implemented by other FWC/FWRI staff and produce high-quality, rigorously QC’d data for analysis; work independently; plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; establish and meet work-related goals; communicate effectively both verbally, graphically and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with research staff and others. 

Why should I apply? 

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: 
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may 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. . 

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

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance 

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan  

On the Job Trainings 

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 

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.