OPS Fish & Wildlife Biological Sci III - 77902325

Requisition No: 864986 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish & Wildlife Biological Sci III - 77902325

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902325 

Salary:  $21.63 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 12/03/2025 

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Anticipated Vacancy

Position Number: 77902325

Position Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Hourly Rate of Pay: $21.63

Supervisor: Michelle Pasawicz

Supervisor contact information for inquiries: Michelle.Pasawicz@MyFWC.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Position location: 1875 E. Orange Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32311

Region: Northwest

County: Leon

Working hours: 40 hours per week; Typically M-F, 8 AM – 5 PM, though hours may vary with type of work and may require work on weekends or holidays

List of any subordinates supervised: 0-1 intern

Residency Requirement: Tallahassee

Agency information: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (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 is 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. The FWC has six Divisions, including the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six sections and two offices. This is an opportunity to join the Imperiled Species Management Section.

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

Preferred qualifications: Candidates with previous experience with Florida manatee management or research programs and/or the state or federal environmental regulatory programs is preferred; Qualified applicants should have a background in one of the following: wildlife conservation, environmental law or imperiled species management; and Qualified applicants will need to be highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and adept at problem-solving and time management to succeed in this position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods of data collection, particularly for imperiled or listed species;
• Knowledge of terminology, scientific method, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analyses or testing;
• Skilled MS software applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required, and Google Earth Pro, ArcGIS 10.5+, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Online, SharePoint;
• Skilled in effective written and verbal communication including public speaking and technical report writing;
• Skilled in administration and organization of tasks and assignments;
• Ability to perform complex quantitative analyses of scientific data;
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public, and stakeholders;
• Ability to work independently and on teams;
• Ability to review, evaluate, interpret and defend biological data;
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and good time management skills.  

Additional requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. A valid driver’s license and the ability to participate in limited statewide travel are required.

Description of Duties: This position will support section rule development and issuance of permits associated with the Florida manatee and their habitat under the responsibility of the Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM). Primary duties will involve analyzing and applying data, reviewing and processing permit and exemption requests, and supporting manatee management staff on various tasks associated with manatee protection zones and other protection measures for the Florida manatee.

Specific responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

1.         Assists agency staff with monitoring, evaluating, and the development of Florida manatee protection rules;

2.         Reviews requests and assists with processing for permits and exemptions to conduct activities prohibited by rules and statutes and maintains relevant records;

3.         Creates, maintains and conducts quality control of shapefiles, layers and geodatabases; develops maps and data summaries using ArcGIS, dashboards, GoogleEarth, MS Access and MS Excel for management purposes;

4.         Conducts and coordinates data collection activities (e.g. aerial & boat-based surveys), data analyses, regular monitoring of available data, and interpretation of data to support management and conservation recommendations;

5.         Assists to prepare, publish and present results through internal (reports) and external (peer-reviewed publications, professional and public meeting, etc.) outlets;

6.         Meets with local, state, and federal partners and stakeholder groups to discuss manatee rules and conservation efforts as needed;

7.         Contributes to program outreach efforts, including manatee and sea turtle annual decal development and distribution as needed;

8.         Participates in stranding response, necropsies, and other miscellaneous field work assignments as needed;

9.         Assists with developing and/or coordinating responses to public inquiries received via AskMyFWC, public records requests, or other assignments as needed;

10.        Attends internal and external meetings, workshops, and presentations as necessary;

11.        Performs field and site visits related to manatee rule development as necessary;

12.        Maintains all assigned equipment in safe working condition; and

13.        Performs other project-related duties and administrative tasks as directed. 

How to Apply: In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/), applicants are required to submit a current cover letter expressing their interest in the position and resume highlighting their qualifications. Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System. Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

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.