OPS Biological Scientist III

Requisition No: 9277 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Biological Scientist III - 77901346

Position Number: 77901346 

Posting Closing Date: 05/07/2017 

Salary: $20.44, 40 Hours a week

Class Code: 5074

Broadband Level: LEVEL 3 - LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE 19-1023-03

Level of Education: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences.

Region: Southwest

County: Polk

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F, some nights and weekend work may be required. Infrequent overnight travel may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: None

Division: Habitat and Species Conservation

Section: Wildlife Impact Management

Sub-section: Wildlife Assistance Program

 

Address:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Southwest Regional Office

3900 Drane Field Rd

Lakeland, FL. 33811

 

Supervisor: Angeline Scotten, Senior Wildlife Assistance Biologist – South Florida

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional experience as described above.

A bachelor's degree with a major in wildlife science, ecology, natural resources, or similar discipline preferred. Preference will be given to applicants with at least 2 years wildlife-related professional experience and experience with wildlife-related education and outreach.

In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and a cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.

Description of Position:

The Wildlife Impact Management Section is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as the Wildlife Assistance Biologist for Florida’s 12-county Southwest Region. The incumbent serves as the primary regional point of contact and provides information and technical assistance to the public, other agencies, and other Commission staff about nuisance and nonnative wildlife issues and human-wildlife conflict resolution strategies. Assistance may be provided over the phone or in writing. On rare occasions, assistance may be provided in person. 

This is primarily an office-based position, though some infrequent travel and attendance and/ or presentations at meetings may be required.

The successful candidate will engage with stakeholders primarily over the phone to promote coexistence with and conservation of Florida’s native wildlife populations. This position is located in the Southwest regional office and work outside of normal business hours is generally not required. Field work is not a regular component of this position, however the successful candidate will occasionally represent the Wildlife Assistance Program at outreach events, presentations to citizen groups, and site visits to provide conflict mitigation strategies and equipment as necessary. The Wildlife Assistance Biologist works across multiple Divisions and Sections within FWC to:

  • Coordinate management of nuisance wildlife situations including those involving bears, coyotes, birds, nonnatives and other species;
  • Network to establish clear communication across the agency about emerging wildlife issues;
  • Develop and implement response protocols for nuisance wildlife situations; and
  • Consult on issuance and review of permits to take nuisance wildlife.

    Responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

  • Provide technical assistance to the public, other agencies, and other FWC staff on non-lethal means to address wildlife conflicts
  • Maintain familiarity with prevalent nuisance and nonnative wildlife issues and concerns in the region and continuously identify and share technical assistance and best management practices and protocols as required
  • Review, and maintain as necessary, current literature on wildlife biology and nuisance wildlife abatement techniques;
  • Remain up-to-date on Commission rules and regulations regarding protected wildlife, the take of non-game wildlife, nuisance wildlife abatement, and related issues;
  • Coordinate and assist with regional programs and activities to avert or abate conflicts between humans and bears, including providing technical assistance to the public over the phone for nuisance bear abatement strategies and coordinating with Bear Management Program staff and other regional biologists to address conflict bear situations in a timely manner;
  • Maintain a daily log of nuisance complaint calls via the Wildlife Incident Management System;
  • Maintain and update as necessary contact information for local animal control agencies, county health departments, and wildlife rehabilitators;
  • Conduct other activities and tasks as necessary to support other HSC staff in the region;
  • Support the FWC’s nonnative species management efforts through exotic species hotline staffing and response activities as required;
  • Identify and participate in public outreach efforts to increase appreciation for wildlife and address nuisance wildlife abatement or other wildlife-related issues;
  • Assist the Regional Public Information Coordinator (PIC) with media and stakeholder information requests; and
  • Create and update information for the Ask FWC program and respond to printed or posted requests on FWC’s web and social media pages to answer questions about wildlife or nuisance wildlife conflict resolution.

    The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view.

    Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Department of Financial Services rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

    Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines. The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

    Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position:

  • Demonstrated ability to positively and effectively communicate and work with the public, stakeholder representatives, and coworkers
  • Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation
  • Ability to troubleshoot and assist the public while communicating over the phone
  • Skilled in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, data management, and mapping
  • Knowledge of and experience with animal damage control techniques
  • Ability to identify native and non-native wildlife
  • Familiarity with nonnative species issues in Florida
  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints and deadlines
  • Good organizational and problem-solving skills
  • Establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships
  • Demonstrated skill in customer care
  • Ability to travel overnight less than 25% of the time

    LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

    Valid Florida driver’s license

    WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment, and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.

    WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

  • State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
  • Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
  • Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
  • Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements)
  • Deferred Compensation - voluntary
  • Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

    WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

  • Any form of paid leave
  • Paid holidays
  • Participation in the Florida Retirement System
  • Reinstatement rights or retention rights

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.


Nearest Major Market: Lakeland