Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV / Private Lands Biologist - FWC (Lake Placid, FL)

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Posting Closing Date: 08/21/2025 

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,923.08 + benefits

Supervisor: Luis Gonzalez

Supervisor contact information: (941) 661-1918 or Luis.Gonzalez@MyFWC.com

Position Location: Lake Wales Ridge WEA, Royce Unit Field Office, 1630 Royce Ranch Ave, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Working hours: 40hrs/week

Percent of Travel Required: 0-25% 

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and 7 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 7 years of required experience.

Preferred qualifications:  Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Wildlife or Fisheries Management, Zoology, Environmental Sciences or other closely related curriculum and three years of professional experience in a natural resource program.  Degrees in Wildlife Management / Ecology or other natural resource fields are preferred.

Description of position:

The Office of Conservation Planning Services (OCPS) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to work within a team of wildlife biologists providing assistance to private and public landowners.  This position offers the opportunity to influence management decisions on a landscape level by developing and fostering long-term partnerships with private landowners who own and manage over half of Florida’s natural resources.  

OCPS provides scientific support and technical assistance to a wide array of private and public sector landowners and local, state, and federal governmental entities on habitat-related issues. OCPS develops comprehensive habitat-based management plans, develops and implements incentive programs for private landowners such as payment for ecological services, provides recommendations for implementation of habitat management programs on private and publicly-owned land, and conducts habitat assessments on conservation easements such as gopher tortoise recipient sites. 

The OCPS Southwest Region Team’s primary function is development, administration and delivery of voluntary, incentive-based programs including, but not limited to, FARM Bill Conservation Programs, Forest Stewardship Program, Landowner Incentive Program, Common Species Common Program, and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.  This position will have the opportunity to closely coordinate and act as a liaison to implement FARM Bill programs including but not limited to CSP, ACEP, EQIP, and RCPP.  

Duties and responsibilities:

Include but are not limited to building and fostering long-term partnerships with landowners, biological data collection and analysis; writing Conservation Stewardship Plans, reports and land management prescriptions; monitoring and evaluating program-funded fish and wildlife habitat enhancement activities, collecting wildlife observations in the field, and planning and conducting educational workshops/field days. 

Desired qualifications include: 

The ability to positively communicate with a wide variety of landowners who have different land-uses and objectives for their property, passion for motivating landowners to actively manage their habitats in ways that benefit wildlife, the ability and desire to be open-minded while working within a team of biologists to develop long-term partnerships with private landowners, the ability to work as a team as well as work alone when needed, Geographical Information System experience, excellent communicative skills both verbal and written, knowledge of Florida plant/animal communities, knowledge of habitat management techniques, the ability to travel overnight less than 25%, work alone in the field 50% of the time, and public speaking ability.

Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III - FWC (Midway, FL)

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Posting Closing Date: 08/09/2025 

FTE Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,730.77 + benefits

Working hours: M-F, 8 AM – 5 PM (Hours may vary based on workload and may be required to work weekends and non-traditional hours.)

Supervisor: Dan Roberts  - Phone: (850) 328-4601

Position location: 1156 Cattle Gap Rd. Midway, FL. 32343

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.

Additional requirements: In addition to submitting a completed State of Florida electronic application and completing the qualifying questions, applicants must attach a cover letter and up to date resume to be considered. Submitted cover letter should at a minimum explain your interest in working with the Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Subsection and identify your most relevant skills and experience.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Preferred qualifications:

•  Strong knowledge of freshwater ecology, habitat assessment, and management techniques

• Familiarity with state and federal wetland permitting

• Experience with project management, contract management, developing scopes of work, and oversight of contracted vendors

• Proficient in GIS and GPS applications

• Ability to operate boats, airboats, 4WD vehicles, UTVs/ATVs, and tow trailers

• Experience using drones for vegetation or wildlife management

• Experience or certified in the application of prescribed fire

Licenses requirement: Florida Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledgeable in principles of aquatic ecology and fish/wildlife habitat management

• Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of aquatic habitat management and restoration, including revegetation, mechanical and chemical vegetation control, and organic sediment removal

• Knowledge of GIS and GPS and its application to habitat management and surveys

• Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office applications

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and other stakeholders

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task

• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, with limited supervision

• Ability to work outdoors under harsh weather conditions

• Ability to effectively swim and be comfortable in the water

• Ability to conduct in-water tasks comfortably

• Ability to work outside of normal business hours.

Description of Duties: The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. The Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRE) of the Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section is seeking an aquatic habitat restoration biologist to develop and manage projects on lakes, rivers, and wetlands to benefit fish and wildlife resources.  The position will work within the Northwest Florida AHRE multidisciplinary team, and independently.

This position is responsible for development of budget proposals, project specifications, contract management, and reporting. The position identifies aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement opportunities, secures internal or external project funding, hires and oversees contractors to complete habitat projects, and conducts assessment of project effectiveness.  In addition, the position will interact professionally with the public and partners providing technical expertise on aquatic habitat management. Overnight travel is required to complete fieldwork and attend regional and divisional meetings and trainings.

Required Duties Include but Are Not Limited to The Following:

• Identify, develop, coordinate, and implement wetland and aquatic habitat restoration projects that maximize benefits to fish and wildlife resources

• Work independently and with partners on ephemeral wetland restoration with focus on the eastern Florida panhandle. This work will include managing contractors on an array of restoration techniques including herbicide, heavy mechanical, and light mechanical.

• Removal of nuisance vegetation and organic sediments, herbicide treatment of aquatic plants, planting of beneficial wetland vegetation species and utilization of other wetland restoration techniques.

• Procure necessary state and federal permits required for project implementation.

• Develop project bid documents and contracts.

• Provide contract management of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.

• Provide contractor oversight of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.

• Work across FWC divisions and cooperate with other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others as appropriate to implement FWC’s aquatic habitat restoration program.

• Participate in and provide input to internal (FWC sponsored) and external (non-FWC sponsored) aquatic resource management groups.

• Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of wetland and aquatic habitat monitoring and sampling.

• Evaluate and predict environmental response to project activities in coordination with other FWC divisions, office, and section personnel.

• Create and maintain databases of collected scientific data and maps of project areas using appropriate computer software.

• Prepare, publish, and present project management plans and relevant project findings through internal (quarterly/annual/completion reports and management plans) and external (peer-reviewed publications, professional and public meeting, etc.) outlets.

• Perform other project-related duties and tasks as directed by supervisor.

• Be proficient in the operation of 4X4 vehicles and maintenance of project vehicles.

• Be proficient in the operation and maintenance of boats, trailers, and airboats.

• Be proficient in the operation and maintenance of UTVs and ATVs.

• Be proficient in the use and maintenance of field and laboratory equipment.

• Assist other AHRE, AHCR and Commission projects as necessary.

• Work independently with limited supervision.

• Responsible for timely and accurate processing and/or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors.

OPS F&W Bio Scientist IV - FWC (Lake City, FL)

To view more information and apply, click here!

Posting Closing Date: 08/08/2025 

Pay rate: $26.04 per hour, 1920 hours per year

Supervisor: Blair Hayman

Working hours: 8am – 5pm

Location: 3377 E US Hwy 90, Lake City, FL 32025

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Eligible candidates must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 7 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 7 years of required experience.

Please include a resume and cover letter along with a complete State of Florida application; applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered. 

The preference is for the position to report to the FWC Regional Office in Lake City, which is located near Jacksonville and Gainesville.  Other FWC Office locations may be considered. Full time or partial telework is not available.

For question regarding this position, please contact Blair Hayman at  Rebecca.Hayman@MYFWC.COM

Description of duties:

The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is seeking a fish and wildlife professional to fill the Critical Wildlife Area Coordinator position (OPS Biological Scientist IV). This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated, organized, and dedicated individual to lead conservation of critical sites supporting imperiled species through overseeing Florida’s Critical Wildlife Area (CWA) program.

The individual in this position will have the opportunity to work with staff and partners to benefit wildlife at designated Critical Wildlife Areas (CWAs), sites that support significant concentrations of wildlife. FWC currently has 32 designated CWAs, many closed to the public seasonally or year-round to protect important shorebird and wading bird sites, as well as bat caves and gopher tortoises.

This position serves as the statewide CWA Coordinator for the FWC and is primarily responsible for coordinating with staff, law enforcement, and partners to support management activities such as posting, stewardship, species monitoring, and habitat management on designated CWAs. The CWA Coordinator will work with staff and partners to evaluate potential new or modifications to CWAs and provide direction through the establishment and modification process.

Additionally, the person in this position is responsible for administrative tasks such as managing budgets, purchasing, managing contracts, and seeking funding to support needs outside of the existing budget. This position will have a key role coordinating and collaborating on conservation efforts that benefit a variety of imperiled species, including imperiled shorebird and wading birds in Florida.

This position serves as an active member of the Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC) and will have the opportunity to contribute to species and habitat management, conservation policy development, and program improvements through working collaboratively with colleagues and partners.

Duties of the position may include:

• Identify potential new or modifications to existing CWAs, and hold discussions with landowners, resource managers, and users to identify appropriateness and feasibility of designation.

• Lead stakeholder engagement for CWA’s, including planning and conducting public meetings and addressing stakeholder concerns through coordinated responses.

• Coordinate with FWC staff to ensure statewide consistency regarding CWA rule interpretation and implementation.

• Meet with regional teams and partners to discuss CWA management needs, challenges, and strategic planning.

• Coordinate with FWC staff to develop regular monitoring schedules, standardized protocols, disturbance monitoring strategies, site-specific posting (closure) plans and maintain in-water and on-land regulatory markers.

• Coordinate with regional staff and partners to support habitat management activities including debris removal (storm recovery), shoreline erosion control, and vegetation management.

• Track species monitoring data and apply this information to management recommendations.

• Present on CWAs to staff and partners, prepare reports summarizing activities and monitoring results on CWAs. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position:

• Work effectively in a team environment and independently.

• Skilled in leadership, partnership development and maintenance, administration, and organization including time and information management.

• Strong verbal and written communication.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Proficient in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, and familiarity with shared working spaces such as SharePoint and Google Docs.

• Proven ability to apply technical and scientific knowledge to develop and implement projects and troubleshoot issues; analyze, interpret, and explain complex technical issues regarding wildlife conservation activities; and interpret operational needs and develop integrated creative solutions.

• Conduct moderately strenuous wildlife management and monitoring activities outdoors.

• Safely operate a variety of vehicles and equipment including GPS units, hand tools, power tools, 4WD vehicles, ATVs, trailers, and boats up to 19 feet is preferred.

• Ability to travel overnight on occasion to attend conferences, meetings, trainings, and conduct field activities.

• Ability to complete administrative duties such as vehicle reporting, purchase tracking, and travel forms in a timely manner.

OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician - FWC (Lake Placid, FL)

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Posting Closing Date: 08/07/2025 

Starting pay rate: $18.23/ hr.

Working hours: 8am – 5pm; maximum allowable hours per fiscal year: 1,920

Residency requirement: Required to reside within 25 miles of the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area Field Office

Address: Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area, 1630 Royce Ranch Ave., Lake Placid, FL 33852

Phone: (863) 699-3937

Level of Education- High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Description of duties: THIS IS AN OPS POSITION.  IT IS NOT CAREER SERVICE. 

The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. An exciting opportunity exists for a Fish and Wildlife Technician to join a team of employees within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section in managing the Lake Wales Ridge WEA. FWC’s Southwest Region is seeking a motivated applicant that is willing and able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions throughout the year in fulfillment of their job responsibilities. Responsibilities include the restoration and maintenance of wildlife habitat by applying prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and non-native invasive plant control throughout the area. The employee will also be a key member of the WMA prescribed burn team. Additional duties include operating game check stations, operating, maintaining and repairing area equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs, and heavy equipment in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. Incumbent also must possess the ability, or willingness to learn how to troubleshoot the repairs of pumps, motors and heavy equipment.

This position also assists biologists with surveying and monitoring of threatened and locally important species, resource inventories, and public hunt management. Assists in the planning, development and maintenance of projects facilitating public use including parking and road construction, culvert installation, trash pickup, building maintenance and fence, gate and sign construction and maintenance. Interacts professionally with the public and partners providing accurate information concerning wildlife, area conditions, rules and regulations. Attends regional and divisional meetings and training programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability, or willingness to learn how to operate, maintain and repair heavy equipment and associated implements

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to plan and organize work assignments

• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities

• Skilled in construction activities including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding

• Knowledge of wildlife and land management principles and practices

• Basic use of personal computers

• Ability to operate outdoors under inclement weather conditions

• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 40 pounds

• Ability to work productively alone with remote supervision or as member of a team, and the flexibility to occasionally work long hours and variable schedules, such as nights, weekends, or holidays.

Preferred Qualifications: Strong familiarity with vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance. Familiarity with both native and invasive vegetation in Central Florida. Experience with prescribed burning.

Minimum Qualifications:  A highschool diploma and two years 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 acreddited school or college may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III - FWC (West Palm Beach, FL)

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Posting Closing Date: 08/05/2025 

Salary: $1,730.77 bi-weekly ($45,000 annually) + benefits

Working hours: 8-5 M-F, evening and weekends as required.

Supervisor: Danielle Devine 

List of any subordinates supervised: 1 F&W Biological Scientist II position, 2 F&W Technician positions, and seasonal staff as needed.

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

Phone: (561) 624-6989

Residency requirement: Must live within 25 miles of J.W. Corbett WMA. Employee housing option (RV pad and hookups) may be available.

Description of duties: The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six sections and two offices. This position is in the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section.

The FWC is seeking a highly motivated biologist to lead a team of Wildlife and Habitat Management Section staff on the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Palm Beach County, Florida. This Lead Area Biologist position will work as a team with other areas within the District or South Region to accomplish land management activities including prescribed burning and nonnative plant control.

In addition, responsibilities include identifying, planning, and implementing effective projects consistent with the Management Plan; developing and implementing annual budgets and work plans; ensuring equipment and infrastructure is properly maintained; providing oversight and participating in hydrologic and vegetative restoration projects; preparing for and conducting wildlife surveys; supporting and conducting public hunts on the WMA, as well as on the Stormwater Treatment Area(s) as needed; developing and promoting non-hunting recreational use; and maintaining land management and wildlife survey databases using ArcGIS.

This Lead Area Biologist position will work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning. The successful candidate will supervise two Fish & Wildlife Technicians, one Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II, and seasonal hunter check station operators as necessary. The successful candidate must occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, and assist on other management areas as needed. Employee housing option (RV pad and hookups) may be available.

About the WMA: The J.W. Corbett WMA (60,498 acres) is home to a variety of wildlife, including red-cockaded woodpecker, American alligator, otter, sandhill crane, and white-tailed deer. Primary habitats include pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, and cypress swamps. Prescribed burning and invasive plant control are two of the primary tools used to manage and improve the property for wildlife.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of Florida ecosystems and natural processes, wildlife ecology, ecosystem management, water management, fire ecology and plant succession. 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. Ability to effectively supervise staff. Well-organized, able to communicate effectively, and able to supervise and delegate tasks effectively. Ability to oversee multiple projects and set priorities. Incumbent must possess the initiative, motivation, and self-direction necessary to work productively independently as well as function as a member of a team. Ability to work outside under inclement weather conditions and operate specialized equipment (e.g., swamp buggy, ATV, UTV, tractor).

Minimum Qualifications:  Six years of 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 six years of required experience.

Preferred Qualifications: A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the life/physical sciences.  At least two years of experience in habitat and/or wildlife management. Supervisory experience. Florida Prescribed Burn Manager. Strong familiarity with both native and invasive vegetation in South Florida. Experience with habitat restoration work, wildlife surveys, and prescribed burning.

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. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Wildlife Biologist - USDA (Key West)

OPEN DATE:                   7/21/2025

CLOSING DATE:            7/31/2025

POSITION TITLE:           Wildlife Biologist

TYPE OF POSITION:     13 Month Term Appointment with possibility for Benefits, Excepted Service, (may be extended up to 4 years)

WORK SCHEDULE:      Full-time

ANNOUNCEMENT #:   WSER-FL-FY25-SE05

SERIES/GRADE:            GS-0486-7/9

LOCATION:                     Naval Air Station Key West (Key West, FL) (Relocation expenses will not be paid)

SALARY:                          $53,208 - $84,607 per year

For a full position description and instructions on how to apply, click HERE

Biological Science Technician - USDA (Homestead)

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Vacancy Announcement

OPEN DATE:                     07/17/2025

CLOSING DATE:             07/25/2025

POSITION TITLE:            Biological Science Technician (Wildlife)

LOCATIONS:                   Homestead Air Reserve Base (Homestead, FL)

Click HERE for a full position description and instructions on how to apply