OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77901821

Requisition No: 875468 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77901821

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77901821 

Salary:  $18.21 an hour maximum 1920 hours a fiscal year 

Posting Closing Date: 05/31/2026 

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77901821

Position Title:Fish & Wildlife Technician

OPS Hourly Rate: $18.23maximum hours worked 1920 a fiscal year

Supervisor: Nathan Kastenholz

Supervisor contact information for inquiries: (850) 827-2258 / Nathan.Kastenholz@MyFWC.com

Broadband Code: 19-4021-01

Position location: Apalachicola River WEA

Region: Northwest

County: Franklin/Gulf

Working hours: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CST), Monday through Friday, maximum allowable hours per year: 1920. Duties may require some early morning, night, or weekend duty and occasional overnight travel.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: Must reside within a 25-mile radius of Apalachicola River Wildlife Environmental Area.

Agency information:

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 and Habitat Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. 

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma/GED and 1 year of post-high school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction is required.

Vocational training or an associate’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction from an accredited school or college may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Additional 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. Must be able to operate ATVs, tractors, heavy equipment, and tools. Must obtain a State of Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License within 270 days of appointment and maintain license thereafter. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and walk or stand for extended time periods, must be able to work at night (occasionally) or in inclement weather. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Preferred qualifications:

• Possesses and maintains a Class A CDL License
• Has successfully completed Florida certified prescribed burn manager training or basic fire management training
• Has at least 2 years of direct, applied experience in management of Florida natural communities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge and experience with the application of prescribed fire
• Knowledge and experience with chemical and mechanical control of invasive exotic vegetation
• Knowledge and experience in electrical, plumbing, welding, painting and carpentry
• Ability to operate, maintain, diagnose, and repair heavy equipment, tractors, farm implements, ATVs, and outboard motors
• Ability to work independently and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal customers.
• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities
• Basic use of personal computers
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds

Description of Duties:

The FWC’s Northwest Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join a team consisting of three biologists and one other technician on Apalachicola River Wildlife Environmental Area (WEA) in Gulf and Franklin County, FL. This position serves as a Fish and Wildlife Technician on a highly productive team of land managers to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of species and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors. The successful candidate will be a key team member responsible for all aspects of management of the WEA including applications of prescribed fire as well as mechanical and chemical vegetation control to manage habitats. Habitat improvement is focused on imperiled and locally important species including, but not limited to the Red-Cockaded woodpecker, white-tailed deer, and Barbours Map turtle. This position assists with planting wildlife food plots and dove fields to benefit wildlife and ensure a high-quality recreational experience for area users. The successful candidate will also assist with the collection of biological data from hunter harvested game including Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) specimens, as well as the implementation of various wildlife surveys.

Additionally, this position will assist with infrastructure construction, maintenance and repair, including roads, culverts, fences, gates, signs and buildings. The position will operate, maintain and repair area equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs/UTVs, heavy equipment and various implements (disc harrows, mowers, sprayers, etc.). The incumbent will assist other wildlife management areas as directed and provide technical assistance to individuals, organizations, and other government agencies regarding wildlife and habitat management. Occasionally, the successful candidate will attend regional and divisional meetings as well as various training courses as needed.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to operate, maintain, diagnose, and repair heavy equipment, tractors, farm implements, ATVs, and outboard motors.
• Knowledge and experience in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, welding, and painting.
• Knowledge and experience with the application of prescribed fire.
• Knowledge and experience with chemical or mechanical control of native and invasive exotic vegetation.
• Knowledge of GPS (Global Positioning Systems).
• Knowledge and experience in conducting wildlife surveys with an emphasis on nongame species.
• Ability to work independently and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task.
• Ability to deal effectively with customers.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal customers.

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.