FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77001089

Requisition No: 811775 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77001089

Position Number: 77001089 

Salary:  $1,730.77 bi-weekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 01/03/2024 

Working Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Section : Wildlife and Habitat Management

Position number: 77001089

Salary: $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits

Address: 3365 Taylor Creek Road, Christmas, FL 32709

Supervisor: Melanie Mancuso

       Employment contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Description of duties:   

The FWC’s Northeast Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate for an exciting and challenging opportunity to lead a team of biologists and fish and wildlife technicians managing the William Beardall Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Orange County Florida. This position serves as the Lead Area Biologist responsible for managing over 30,000 acres of natural communities including floodplain marsh, hydric hammock, and wet and mesic flatwoods to benefit game, non-game, and imperiled wildlife and plant species. The Lead Area Biologist is responsible for coordinating and implementing habitat management and restoration activities including the application of prescribed fire on approximately 5,000 acres per year as well as conducting various mechanical and chemical treatments, and invasive species management. The incumbent will lead a team of 4 full-time employees and several seasonal positions to maintain, restore, and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of species and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors.

This position is responsible for all aspects of running the WMA including project, infrastructure, and public hunt management; reporting, purchasing and budget management; GIS; and data entry. The incumbent will interact professionally with the public and partners, including other state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations to provide information concerning wildlife, area management, and rules and regulations. The successful candidate will oversee the operation of hunter check stations to collect biological data of hunter harvested game. Occasionally the incumbent will be required to attend regional and divisional meetings as well as various trainings as needed.

Additionally, the incumbent will have responsibilities at the Seminole Ranch WMA to include, but not limited to interacting with the lead agency staff, supervising managed hunts, conducting habitat management activities, project implementation, and conducting surveys such as deer spotlight counts and invasive/exotic plant surveys.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Incumbent must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and leadership skills, be able to work well with team members and interact positively with stakeholders and cooperators. 

Other knowledge, skills and abilities include: 

• Knowledge of principles of ecology and wildlife management
• Knowledge of the common and imperiled species of Florida
• Knowledge of the principles of fire ecology and experience with the application of prescribed fire

• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices including mechanical and chemical vegetation control
• Knowledge and experience in supervising multiple team members
• Knowledge of outdoor recreational activities including hunting and fishing
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently
• Experience conducting wildlife surveys and summarizing biological data
• Knowledge of and experience in ArcGIS and GPS and its application to land management and surveys
• Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to identify common and imperiled wildlife species
• Ability to operate outdoors under harsh weather conditions
• Ability to write technical reports
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task
• Ability to operate vehicles, ATVs, trailers and boats, including airboats

Broadband code: 19-1023-03

Class code: 5074

Region: Northeast

Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

County: Orange

Working hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday, occasional weekend work and atypical hours expected. Occasional overnight travel required.

List of any subordinates supervised:  1 Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II, 3 Fish and Wildlife Technicians, several seasonal OPS employees

Residency requirement: Required to live in the State-owned house located on Tosohatchee WMA

Level of Education: Preferred Bachelor of Science degree in a life or physical science

Benefits: Participate in Group health insurance

Other Requirements: Will be required to obtain and maintain a current and valid Florida Driver’s license.  Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check. The criminal history check must be completed prior to or within the first three days of employment.

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.