Requisition No: 47506
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77001077
Position Number: 77001077
Salary: $1,711.82 bi-weekly + benefits
Posting Closing Date: 11/21/2018
Address: 6911 Highway 2321, Panama City 32409
Supervisor: Nancy Douglass
Description of duties: Coordinate and conduct all aspects of nongame wildlife conservation in the Commission’s Northwest Region. Overarching responsibilities include: developing and implementing conservation projects for imperiled and priority nongame species; management of designated Critical Wildlife Areas; securing grant funding to conduct or enhance conservation activities; developing partnerships with other agencies, conservation organizations, and volunteers and serving as a catalyst to promote and enhance conservation of nongame wildlife; providing technical assistance to Commission staff, other agencies, and the public regarding nongame wildlife; reviewing and commenting on permit requests for potential impacts to state listed and priority nongame wildlife species; conducting public outreach activities and participating in listed species stakeholder meetings; recruiting, training, and supervising assigned staff; budget management; and preparing manuscripts for publication in scientific journals. Focal species include imperiled shorebirds, Florida bog frog, reticulated and frosted flatwoods salamanders, three subspecies of beach mice and Panama City crayfish. However, opportunities to expand species conservation efforts to other taxa exist as priorities dictate. Focal species duties are as follows:
Shorebirds and seabirds: hire, train, and supervise Shorebird Program staff; oversee predation management activities for the region; and advocate for shorebird conservation at public meetings and land management reviews.
Florida bog frog: oversee vegetation surveys; working with Aquatic Habitat Restoration (AHRES) staff, serve as project manager on habitat restoration efforts on public and private lands, including Blackwater State Forest.
Reticulated flatwoods salamander: oversee habitat restoration efforts on conservation lands including Hurlburt Airfield, Eglin Airforce Base, and St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.
Beach Mice: serve as HSC lead for regional beach mouse issues; oversee occupancy surveys; and serve as co-lead for the Perdido Key Beach mouse translocation team.
Panama City crayfish: oversee survey and monitoring efforts and habitat restoration on established conservation easements; provide technical assistance to mitigate development related impacts; identify new Panama City crayfish conservation properties; and work with partners and stakeholders on potential establishment of a conservation/mitigation bank for the species.
Knowledge, skills, abilities: Ability to work independently; strong organizational and project management skills; Supervisory experience; strong oral and written communication skills; experience in designing, implementing, and reporting results of survey, monitoring, research, or other conservation projects; ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures; experience with habitat restoration work and management of third-party contractors to conduct such work; knowledge of conservation biology principles and the ability or experience to apply such, especially as it pertains to Florida’s native wildlife; comfortable with operation and basic maintenance of a variety of vehicles and equipment including 4WD truck, ATV, motor boat, GPS units, and hand tools; able to conduct moderately strenuous activities such as posting signs and collection of data under sometimes harsh climatic conditions; flexibility to schedule travel and field work when necessary; strong computer skills including data management using spreadsheets and databases and GIS technology. Knowledge of important nongame wildlife species in NW Florida is preferred. A demonstrated ability to secure grants to support conservation work is preferred. A demonstrated ability to develop successful partnerships for enhancement of conservation is preferred. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, self-motivated, and have a commitment to natural resource conservation and customer service.
Region: Northwest
Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV
County: Bay
Working hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., work hours may vary due to nature of work.
List of any subordinates supervised: Assistant Regional Species Conservation Biologist, Regional Shorebird Biologist
Residency requirement: Non
Level of Education: A bachelor’s degree in wildlife science or related field plus 3 years of professional experience required. A Master’s degree in wildlife science or related field plus 3 years of professional experience 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: Pensacola