OPS F & W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77904045

Requisition No: 863102 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77904045

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77904045 

Salary:  $23.44 an hour 1920 hours a fiscal year 

Posting Closing Date: 11/13/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Position Number: 77904045

Position Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III (Volunteer Program)

OPS Hourly Rate: $23.44 (1920 hours a fiscal year)

Supervisor: Samantha Johnston

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03 

Physical Address & Telephone Number: 8535 Northlake Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33412. 727-580-4688

Region: South

County: Palm Beach

Working hours: 8am – 5pm Monday through Friday with occasional weekends and evenings

List of any subordinates supervised: N/A

Residency Requirement: None

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, 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.

Description of Duties:

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of 6 sections and 2 offices.  This position is locaated in The Public Access Services Office.  This is the position of South Region Volunteer Program Biologist in the Public Access Services Office within FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Public Access Services Office is a leader in innovative best practices to provide safe, sustainable, quality wildlife experiences and conservation opportunities to the public. This is an exciting opportunity to join our Regional Volunteer Program team! 

The South Region Volunteer Program Biologist position offers direct coordination of volunteers for conservation projects, collaborating with a diverse group of biologists, land managers, and interested groups. Supporting a variety of species and habitats in the South region of Florida, the Volunteer Program Biologist plays a key role in designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring conservation efforts that engage volunteers.

This is a full-time OPS position with a pay rate of $21.63 per hour for 1920 hours a fiscal year, with the potential for health benefits. .It is located in West Palm Beach, Florida at the South Regional Office.

Answers to qualifyihng questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Data Collection, Analysis, and Synthesis:
• Designs and/or implements survey protocols for threatened and endangered wildlife.
• Monitors and evaluates long-term conservation projects that use volunteers and interns.
• Implements adaptive management strategies to achieve project goals.
• Coordination:
• Designs, leads, and manages multiple concurrent conservation projects that involve volunteers.
• Directs the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers and maintains accurate volunteer documentation.
• Ensures volunteers are appropriately trained to meet rigorous scientific protocol standards.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with internal sections and divisions, as well as external agencies and organizations to implement conservation projects that use volunteers on public and private lands.
• Plans and implements volunteer recognition events.
• Program Development and Administration:
• Works closely with the FWC Volunteer Program Manager as well as the other regional Volunteer Program Biologists to develop and promote the FWC Volunteer Program.
• Counsels FWC staff on volunteer, intern, and participatory science best management practices.
• Participates as an active member of the FWC’s Volunteer Standing Team.
• Participates as an active member of habitat and species working groups or strategic teams, as needed.
• Prepares quarterly and annual reports and other reports, as needed.
• Contributes content for the FWC Volunteers Facebook page and volunteer newsletter.
• Presents at regional and statewide meetings, workshops, and scientific conferences.
• Trains staff on and assists with volunteer data management and tracking.
• Schedules regular service of assigned work vehicle and prepares monthly vehicle records.
• Processes job-related purchases and travel expenses using the Works payment management service and the Statewide Travel Management System.

Cooperation, communication, and teamwork are necessary skills for this position. Candidates must be highly proficient in written and verbal communication. The successful applicant will demonstrate self-direction and self-motivation, sound decision making, and the ability to create and maintain positive and respectful working relationships with colleagues, contractors, and partners. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in a volunteer leadership or management role.
• Broad-based working knowledge of a variety of non-game Florida species across multiple taxa.
• Knowledge of the ecosystems of Florida (or Southeastern United States), wildlife management practices, and conservation threats.
• Ability to analyze biological data and to report it in a scientific manner.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and to set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, both independently and as part of a team.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Effective oral and written communication skills including public speaking and preparing multi-media presentations.
• Ability to effectively use computer programs to conduct work duties (including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access).
• Knowledge of database management and/or GIS software programs.
• Knowledge of social media applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight and during the day for projects, meetings, and workshops. Travel for day trips as well as overnight travel within a 200-mile radius and beyond the boundaries of the FWC’s South Region, as well as travel throughout the state and out of the state for conferences. Approximately 25%-50% of this position’s time includes travel, with flexibility to work weekends and evenings, as necessary.
• Ability to work outdoors conducting land management activities in remote locations and often in physically demanding circumstances.
• Ability to operate power tools safely, including chainsaws, and to train and supervise volunteers performing fieldwork to adhere to safety guidelines and precautions.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.

• Spanish language proficiency preferred

This position is expected to work independently with limited supervision. This position works Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm with some weekends or evenings as required programs or travel, with a total of 1920 hours worked per fiscal year. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and have the ability to travel [35%] on average annually.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

How To Apply:

Application packets must be submitted through the State of Florida’s official employment site (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/) and must include a cover letter and resume in addition to the state application. Application packets without a cover letter, resume and state application will not be considered for the position.

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.