OPS F&W Biological Scientist II - 77901963

Requisition No: 831891 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F&W Biological Scientist II - 77901963

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77901963 

Salary:  $20.83 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 07/15/2024 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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

Position number: 77901963

Position location: 11835 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33412

Phone: (561) 624-6989

Supervisor: Danielle Devine 

Description of duties: The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six sections and two offices. This position is in the Wildlife Habitat Management Section. The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join a team of biologists and technicians on the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Palm Beach County, Florida. This position serves as an OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II on a team to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of wildlife and for the enjoyment of Florida’s residents and visitors.

Primary responsibilities are assisting with the planning, development, and implementation of hydrologic, habitat, and wildlife management programs for the WMA. This includes assisting with the monitoring and management of federally endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers (RCWs), the application of prescribed fire, conducting and providing oversight for invasive plant management, assisting in the development and promotion of public use programs including both hunting and non-hunting uses, and helping to set management and restoration objectives consistent with agency and division directives.

Additionally, this position will assist with conducting and creating surveys and monitoring programs of game, locally important, and imperiled wildlife species using scientifically accepted protocols. Conducts vegetation surveys including those of imperiled native flora and monitors vegetation response to habitat manipulations and chemical controls. Conduct vegetation surveys, collecting biological data from hunter-harvested animals, conducting chemical and mechanical invasive plant management and oversight, coordinating, and implementing managed public hunts, preparing and submitting administrative and biological reports, maintaining equipment in a safe and useable condition, and furthering agency goals through interactions with cooperating agencies and stakeholders. The position will regularly work independently in the field. This position will also work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning. The successful candidate must occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, and assist on other management areas as needed.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of Florida ecosystems and natural processes, wildlife ecology, ecosystem management, water management, fire ecology and plant succession. Ability to navigate using GPS units and aerial maps. Knowledge of threats and issues facing Florida wildlife and habitats and the ability to create creative solutions. Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of habitat management and restoration, including prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical vegetation control, and invasive plant control. Wildlife habitat survey and inventory knowledge; ability to collect and analyze biological data. Ability to track spending and monitor budgets. Ability to create scientific reports free of grammatical and typographical errors. Ability to interact with stakeholders, co-workers, and cooperating agencies in a professional manner. Knowledge of hunting as a wildlife management tool. Familiarity with infrastructure development and maintenance. Familiarity with outdoor recreational activities and the facilities needed to support them. Proficiency with typical Windows applications and ArcGIS. Well-organized and able to communicate effectively. Ability to oversee multiple projects and set priorities. Incumbent must possess the initiative, motivation, and self-direction necessary to work productively unsupervised alone as well as function as a member of a team. Ability to operate outside under inclement weather conditions and specialized off-road vehicles.

Broadband code: 19-1023-02

Class code: 5028

Region: South

Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II

County: Palm Beach

Working hours: 8-5 M-F, early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required. Occasional overnight travel is required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: Must live within a 25-mile radius of the J.W. Corbett Field Office.

Level of Education: Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the biological sciences preferred, or at least four years of direct experience with the duties of this position.

Other requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Must possess and maintain a valid minimum Class E State of Florida driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Rate of Pay: $20.83/hour (40 hours per week, 1920 hours per year)

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.