OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77900590

Requisition No: 886239 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77900590

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77900590 

Salary:  $19.71 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/19/2026 

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

Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77900590

Position Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II – Conservation Stewardship Specialist

Salary: $19.71 an hour

Supervisor: Sharon Tatem; for inquiries : 727-502-4971

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Position location: To be determined. Possible locations include Tallahassee, Florida, Lakeland, Florida, Ocala, Florida, Gainesville, Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Working hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: Florida

The Agency:

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 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.

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 Role:

This is the position of Conservation Stewardship Specialist in the Public Access Services Office within the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Division is comprised of six Sections and two Offices. Our 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 Conservation Stewardship team!

The Conservation Stewardship Specialist supports communications and coordination for the Conservation Stewardship subsection, helping convey program objectives, project outcomes, and conservation messages to internal and external audiences. This is a full-time OPS position with a pay rate starting at $19.71 per hour, with health benefits, some travel, and occasional evening and weekend duties. The role also includes opportunities for fieldwork, such as assisting with biological data collection, participatory science events, and volunteer engagement activities.

The Work:

This OPS Fish & Wildlife Biologist II position supports Conservation Stewardship initiatives statewide. The combination of communication support and fieldwork ultimately provides this position with a unique perspective to strengthen and emphasize both public access opportunities and conservation outcomes across Florida. Duties include:

• Assisting with field data collection, biological monitoring and surveys.
• Entering, managing, and maintaining biological and volunteer program data.
• Supporting participatory science projects and volunteer engagement efforts.
• Assisting with newsletters, social media, customer service communication, web content, and reports.
• Supporting the planning and coordinating of participatory science or volunteer events (e.g., Bioblitz).
• Maintaining shared Conservation Stewardship program resources, including SharePoint libraries, project-tracking documents, partner lists, and living project lists.
• Supporting development of project documentation, hand-off templates, and transition processes.
• Assisting with communications between teams, partners, and leadership.
• Working collaboratively across multiple regions to support priority Conservation Stewardship actions.
• Maintaining compliance with agency and office administrative requirements related to purchasing, travel and reporting.

Teamwork, communication, and initiative are essential skills for this position. The successful applicant will demonstrate self‑motivation, sound decision‑making, and the ability to create and maintain respectful working relationships with colleagues and partners.

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and 5 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 5 years of required experience.

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

Preferred qualifications:

• Two years of professional experience or coursework in science communications.
• Passion for serving as a bridge between staff and the public by translating conservation work, scientific concepts, and program outcomes into clear, accessible, and engaging information.
• Interest in combining public engagement with field experience, and the ability to relate biological concepts in ways that are meaningful and understandable to diverse audiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Florida’s fish and wildlife communities, along with foundational principles of conservation biology, wildlife management, and field methods.
• Knowledge of data and informational tools, including GIS applications and commonly used software.
• Knowledge of basic social media and web content tools.
• Skill in organizing and maintaining accurate, accessible program information and shared resources.
• Skill in delivering effective presentations and attention to detail.
• Ability to perform fieldwork in varied and remote conditions, learn safe operation of tools, and occasionally lift up to 20lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of communication needs.
• Ability to collaborate across teams and with partners, working independently when needed.
• Ability to travel for day trips and overnight assignments (approximately 15%), with flexibility for weekend and evening work as needed.

In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, please attach a cover letter. This letter should at minimum explain your interest in the specific organization and position and identify your most relevant skills or experiences.

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

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.