F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77072930

Requisition No: 865570 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77072930

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072930 

Salary:  $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 12/07/2025 

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77072930

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,730.77 + benefits

Supervisor: Ricardo Zambrano

Supervisor contact for information for inquiries, (phone and or email): Ricardo.Zambrano@MyFWC.com     

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Position location: West Palm Beach

Region: South

County: Palm Beach                

Working hours: 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday

List of any subordinates supervised: None      

Residency Requirement: Must live within commuting distance of the office

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.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife Diversity Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 6 years 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 6 years of required experience.

Additional requirements:

Preferred qualifications:

• Level of Education – Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a life or physical science or 4-years of direct experience
• Preferred: A Master of Science (M.S.) degree is preferred.  Knowledge in gopher tortoise and other wildlife survey procedures, the identification of natural communities and listed wildlife species endemic to Florida is highly desirable; knowledge of the Florida listed species process, permitting, and/or wildlife conservation is preferred.
• Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in the application, resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge in gopher tortoise and other wildlife survey protocols
• Knowledge of Florida listed species permitting is preferred
• Ability to identify natural communities and listed wildlife species endemic to Florida is highly desirable
• Knowledge or experience on habitat management techniques that benefit terrestrial wildlife
• Ability to spend long hours outdoors, walking across uneven terrain in various climate conditions
• Ability to read and interpret aerial, habitat, soils, and land use maps
• Skill in interacting and communicating effectively with internal and outside entities, including both written and verbal communication
• Skill in presenting technical information to various audiences
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team
• Skill in using computers and relevant software, use and maintenance of equipment required
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to problem-solve and handle conflict with professionalism
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments, multi-task, establish and meet deadlines; possesses good time management skills
• Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Strong customer service skills required
• Ability to occasionally  travel out of town with overnight stays 
• Skill in use of Microsoft Office software, Adobe Acrobat, and ArcGIS

Description of Duties:

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.

The candidate selected for this Career Service position will work with a dynamic team of biologists to protect and conserve gopher tortoises throughout Florida. The selected candidate will work across FWC divisions, partners, and stakeholders to implement the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan and Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines.

This position works in the FWC’s Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC), serving as the South Region’s Gopher Tortoise Conservation Biologist. This position is responsible for reviewing and processing gopher tortoise permit applications, including drafting permits and related notices to agency standards. This position occasionally works in the field conducting site visits to areas under consideration for permitting to verify gopher tortoise surveys/population estimates, evaluate habitat suitability for tortoises and other listed species, and document occurrences of other listed species. Site visits are also conducted on permitted areas to ensure compliance with state rules and Species Guidelines. Responsibilities also include reviewing draft conservation easement documents and habitat management plans to implement permit requirements and conservation goals.

This position has the opportunity to participate in team meetings, seminars, and workshops relating to wildlife resource management, as well as other professional development opportunities within and outside FWC. The selected candidate may have the opportunity to participate in outreach activities providing technical and educational information to conservation organizations, professional audiences, schools, and civic groups.

This position also has the opportunity to work collaboratively with a regional team to improve wildlife conservation in the region. This may include assisting with or leading priority conservation projects, developing or enhancing partnerships with other organizations, providing technical assistance to the public and other agencies, inputting and managing data, maintaining equipment, and providing other administrative support for regional activities as necessary.

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.