OPS - Biological Scientist I - FWC

Requisition No: 28040 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS- Biological Scientist I - 77909034

Position Number: 77909034 

Salary:  $16.00 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 02/12/2018 

TYPE OF ADVERTISEMENT:  OPEN

Address of Position : 9741 Ocean Shore Blvd Palm Coast, FL 32137

Type of Position:  These are seasonal (temporary) OPS positions (0% FTE)

Pay Rate:  $16.00/hr 

Benefits:  Because these are OPS positions, no benefits package is included.

Supervisor: Alex Kropp

Contact information:        Alex Kropp

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

1239 SW 10th St

Ocala, FL 34471

352-620-7350 

Email: Alex.Kropp@MyFWC.com

 

 

Description of duties:  

    

This position will be based in FWC’s Northeast region (St. Johns & Volusia counties).

 

Wildlife Surveys: 

 

  • Assist FWC biologists and partners in surveying nesting seabird and shorebird populations following monitoring protocols outlined in the Florida Shorebird Database (https://public.myfwc.com/crossdoi/shorebirds/index.aspx). Surveys may also be required to be conducted independently.
  • Collect related data on nest success and productivity.
  • Collect information on predation (e.g., via track observation, remote camera deployment and data analysis).

 

Management Practices: 

 

  • Assist with posting of signs for management at Critical Wildlife Areas and other nearby sites where birds are nesting. 
  • Help maintain signs that are posted around nesting sites throughout the nesting season, especially immediately following storms or other disturbance events. This work often requires effective coordination with managers of the sites where posting is being conducted. 
  • Construct and maintain decoys. 
  • Perform other related and necessary work as required.

Stewardship:  

  • Responsible for maintaining posted signs to ensure areas are continuously protected.
  • Approach beach-goers in a positive and friendly manner to effectively inform the public about beach-nesting birds and reasons why areas are posted, especially during times of high beach usage, such as Memorial and Independence Day weekends.
  • Report violations to law enforcement as needed.

The persons hired in these positions will work with biologists in the Species Conservation Planning Section to assist with the duties described above. Work for this position will be largely conducted at Critical Wildlife Areas (http://myfwc.com/conservation/terrestrial/cwa/) and other important beach nesting sites in the Northeast (Anastasia Island, Matanzas Inlet) region.

Work for these positions will begin in March and last through August.  As these are near-exclusive field-oriented positions, no office space will be provided.  Candidates must have access to a computer for purposes of data entry and communications.  A work vehicle will be provided. Housing will be provided at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Field Office.

Broadband code:19-4021-01

Class code: 5031

Region: North Central

Class Title: Biological Scientist I

County: St. Johns, Volusia

Working hours: variable

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: None

 

Level of Education:  Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience working for a natural resource management agency preferred.  Must have strong sea- and shorebird identification skills and strong data management skills.  Experience working on the ecology, conservation, or management of seabird or shorebird populations, or other non-game wildlife species preferred.  Must have good abilities to communicate and work effectively with others.  Ability to use computers efficiently is required.  Must possess a valid Driver’s License, and be able to drive a 4x4 pick-up truck and ATV.  Must have a highly flexible work schedule (including weekend availability) and be able to work effectively with little direct supervision, in remote locations, and under hot and humid weather conditions.

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.