Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III - FWC

Requisition No: 13925

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77000676

Position Number: 77000676 

Salary:  $44,507.06 annually + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 08/13/2017

Anticipated Vacancy

Working Title:  North Florida Alligator Biologist

Annual Salary:  $44,507.06

Class Title:  Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Broadband: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Position Number:  77000676

County:  Marion

Location:  Ocala

Working hours:  M-F 0800-1700

Contact Person:  Jason Waller:

Position number:  77000921

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • The incumbent serves as the Field Operations and Crocodile Response Project Leader, and is responsible for implementing the Crocodile Response program element. The incumbent also is responsible for assisting the Alligator Management Program Coordinator with the implementation of the statewide alligator management program to achieve objectives in the program's operational plans and to achieve goals, policies, strategies, and objectives in the Agency Strategic Plan, particularly as they relate to alligators and crocodiles and their habitat.

 

  • The incumbent is responsible for assisting the Statewide Coordinator with preparing budget requests, annual program documents, and annual progress reports; independently administering budgets including evaluating needs, planning expenditures, and monitoring travel expenditures and budget balances; purchasing items necessary for administration and operation; and formulating recommendations for alligator and crocodile population and habitat management policies and strategies and recommending regulatory changes as appropriate based upon a review of harvest data, population surveys, life history information, and other relevant data.

 

  • The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Crocodile Response program element, statewide, and the implementation of other alligator management program elements in the Florida panhandle and in the St. Johns and Oklawaha drainage systems. Duties include developing plans, approaches, and procedures for achieving program objectives; coordinating collection of annual nesting and night-light survey data for establishing harvest quotas and monitoring population trends and the impacts of harvests; and coordinating and overseeing alligator egg collections with participating farmers.

 

  • The incumbent directly supervises one Biological Scientist II.  Duties include reviewing work priorities, evaluating work performance, and ensuring that staff perform all appropriate work activities consistent with operational plans and Commission policy. The incumbent will also assist with overseeing the activities of Crocodile Response Agents and other seasonal OPS staff.

 

  • The incumbent will oversee records management for various alligator and crocodile related databases maintained by the Statewide Alligator Management Program.

 

  • The incumbent assists with providing responses to questions of a biological and/or technical nature received from the public about the various alligator and crocodile related program elements managed by the Statewide Alligator Management Program.

 

  • The incumbent participates in alligator-related outreach activities.

 

  • The incumbent shall maintain and provide for repairs of vehicles and equipment, and perform other duties as assigned. 

     

  • The incumbent may be assigned on-call duties during the hours between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. during weekdays and for 24 hours each day during weekends and state holidays.  Only the Alligator Management Program Coordinator will assign these duties and only if needed and only when non-overlapping with other Program employees who may have on-call designations.

 

  • 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.

 

  • Commission employees are responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Comptroller’s 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:

  • Knowledge of alligator and crocodile habitat requirements and life history and principles and practices for their management.

 

  • Ability to plan, implement, administer, and coordinate elements of an alligator management program.

 

  • Ability to work and make appropriate decisions independently.

 

  • Ability to analyze complex issues and problems and develop innovative, efficacious solutions.

 

  • Ability to formulate coherent, effective policies and procedures and to incorporate biological, administrative, ethical, social, and political considerations in formulation of those policies and procedures.

 

  • Ability to determine work priorities, elicit cooperation as necessary to achieve objectives, and ensure proper completion of work assignments and program activities by established deadlines.

 

  • Ability to understand, comply with, and apply rules, policies, and procedures applicable to the conduct of a Commission employee and to the implementation and administration of alligator management program elements.

 

  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

 

  • Ability to prepare scientific reports and popular articles.

 

  • Knowledge of correct English composition, grammar, and punctuation.

 

  • Knowledge of scientific methods, study designs, principals of statistical inference and analysis, and application of computer-based data analysis packages.

 

  • Skill in the use and proper maintenance of scientific laboratory and field equipment. 

 

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships in working with others.

     

  • Ability to assess budgetary needs and to prepare and manage a budget.

 

  • Ability to use computer word-processing, spreadsheet, GIS, and database software packages.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences with two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program is required.

 

  • A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences with one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program is 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: Ocala