Requisition No: 13411
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77072877
Position Number: 77072877
Posting Closing Date: 07/07/2017
Class Title: Fish and Wildlife Biological Scientist III
Broadband Code: 19-1023-03
Class Code: 5074
Office/Section: Conservation Planning Services, Landowner Assistance Program
Location: Bartow NRCS Service Center, 1700 Hwy 17 S., Bartow, FL 33830
Supervisor: Mark Asleson
Biweekly Salary: $1,456.45 biweekly / $37,867.70 Annual
Working hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 40 hours/week
List of any subordinates supervised: none
Years Experience Desired: 2+
Education: Bachelor’s degree required, M.S. preferred
% Travel Required: 0-25%
Description of duties:
The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Office of Conservation Planning Services (CPS), is seeking a fish and wildlife professional to provide technical assistance to stakeholders and partner agencies for the Landowner Assistance Program (LAP). The position requires an understanding of fish and wildlife ecology and management needs, as well as a practical knowledge of native habitat management and recovery techniques suited to Florida landscapes.
CPS provides technical assistance to a wide array of private and public sector landowners and local, state, and federal governmental entities on conservation-related issues. The LAP staff develops comprehensive habitat-based management plans in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Defense, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, works independently and with partners to deliver workshops and other outreach, and provides other habitat related technical assistance as needed. LAP works with multiple partners to deliver voluntary, incentive-based programs including FARM Bill Conservation Programs and USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. LAP wildlife biologists have the opportunity to influence management at the landscape level by working directly with private landowners, developing long-term partnerships, and contributing to the stewardship of lands representing over half of Florida’s natural resources.
The primary functions for this position will be to: assist the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in development of wetland restoration plans for and monitoring of properties enrolled in the Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) Program; coordinate with and provide wildlife and habitat expertise to the NRCS for the implementation of Farm Bill Conservation Programs including WRE, WLFW, and EQIP; and provide technical assistance to NRCS and private landowners through development of comprehensive habitat-based management plans.
Duties and responsibilities:
Include but are not limited to: writing Conservation Plans of Operation, Wetland Restoration Plans, reports and land management prescriptions; building and fostering long-term partnerships with landowners; monitoring and administration of program-funded fish and wildlife habitat enhancement activities; collecting wildlife observations in the field; biological data collection and analysis; and planning and conducting educational workshop/field days. Frequent day travel and some overnight travel will be required.
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 multi-task as well as work alone when needed, Geographical Information System experience, excellent communication skills both verbal and written, knowledge of Florida plant/animal communities, knowledge of habitat management techniques, and public speaking ability.
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. Responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements of Section 215.422, F.S., related to State Comptroller’s rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures. Responsibilities may include legislative interactions. Courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation, generally. Seeks to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner.
Desired Minimum Requirements:
Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife or fisheries management, zoology, environmental sciences or other closely related curriculum, and two years of professional experience preferred.
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. 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.
Nearest Major Market: Lakeland