Requisition No: 48724
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS F & W BS II - 77904043
Position Number: 77904043
Posting Closing Date: 12/05/2018
Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II
Working Title: OPS Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Salary: $17.33/hour; 40 Hours a week
Broadband/Class Code: 19-4021-02
Level of Education: Minimum: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with 2 years of experience: Preferred: Master’s degree in biological sciences.
Region: South
Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F, occasional nights and weekend required. Overnight travel may be required.
List of any subordinates supervised: None
Residency requirement: None
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division: Habitat and Species Conservation
Section: Wildlife Impact Management
Sub-section: Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program
Address:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife Impact Management Section
FAU Davie West
3200 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314
Supervisor: Kelly Gestring, Wildlife Impact Management Section, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Biologist
Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and two (2) years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program or a Master’s Degree in one of the biological sciences. Background in fisheries science with experience in biological field sampling and the use of fisheries related sampling equipment. Must be able to travel out of the area, stay overnight, work weekends, and put in extended hours when necessary. Will be required to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license.
In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.
Cover letters and resumes shall be uploaded to the People First System.
Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.
Description of Position:
The Wildlife Impact Management Section is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to help address nonnative fish and wildlife in Florida. Primary responsibility will be to monitor for and assess potential impacts of nonnative freshwater fish and other nonnative aquatic invasive wildlife in public waterbodies statewide with an emphasis on south Florida at the direction of the Supervisor.
Primary duties will include:
Assists supervisor and Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator with identifying and assessing emerging issues related to nonnative aquatic species in Florida;
Collects, prepares and analyzes biological data from fish populations in the field and laboratory;
Develops field sample collection techniques and implementation of procedures in the field under the supervision of the Biological Administrator.
Identifies nonnative fish and wildlife species from surveys and photographs. Coordinates and conducts surveys for nonnative fish and wildlife and actively engages in eradication efforts as required;
Utilizes and maintains a variety of sampling equipment; boats, motors, nets, electroshocking boat, depth recorders, microscopes, dissecting equipment, game cameras, wildlife feeders and other scientific devices related to the study of introduced freshwater fish and wildlife in Florida. Maintains vehicles, boats, trailers, and facilities;
Collects, enters and organizes data on all activities and summarizes data by preparing graphs, charts and other methods of presenting biological information from field and laboratory studies;
Conducts GIS and statistical analysis of data;
Provides technical assistance to the public through telephone, written communication, presentations, lectures, and social media;
Prepares and edits technical reports including segments of the annual report for Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program;
Serves on committees and teams as appropriate and attend meetings, workshops, and conferences;
Responds to Early Detection Rapid Response reports of nonnative fish and wildlife as needed;
Demonstrates safe handling and proficiency in the use of firearms.
This position will include extensive driving throughout the South and possibly Southwest Regions (especially Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties), working independently, and requires an ability to trouble-shoot in the field.
Additional duties will include:
Gives presentations to the public, staffing outreach events and attending public workshops;
Assists with preparing educational and outreach activities and trainings on nonnative wildlife issues;
Conducts other activities and tasks as necessary to support other HSC staff in the region;
Maintains and enters vehicle logs, utilizing a state purchasing card and maintaining and tracking project equipment and firearms.
It is expected that all FWC employees courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have on matters relating to the Commission, its programs, or fish and wildlife conservation in general; and garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.
Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position:
Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of fish and wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation;
Experience in sampling fish populations using a variety of techniques;
Experience operating a motorized boat;
Ability to operate safely a 4WD pickup truck, trailer and launch a boat on a two-axle trailer;
Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service;
Familiarity with nonnative species issues;
Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
Experience working with the public or stakeholder representatives;
Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;
Ability to troubleshoot and assist the public while communicating over the phone.
Desired qualifications include:
Experience with public speaking;
Ability to identify native and nonnative wildlife;
Ability to multi-task and work without close supervision when needed;
Computer experience (R, GIS, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Access, MS Excel and Outlook);
Experience with wildlife trapping techniques;
Demonstrated working knowledge and experience handling wildlife;
Experience implementing and maintaining live and camera trap lines;
Experience implementing live trap arrays including opening and closing live traps, maintaining bait in traps, releasing by-catch from trapping efforts unharmed, safely and humanely removing wildlife from traps, live trap repair and construction;
Experience removing invasive, potentially dangerous wildlife using other methods, including hand capture, firearms, net guns and chemical immobilization tools;
Ability to travel less than 25%;
Will be required to show proof of a valid hunter safety certificate or obtain a Florida hunter safety certificate.
Certain veterans and spouses of veterans receive preference in employment by the state as provided by Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, and are encouraged to apply.
FWC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ADA Employer. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application / selection process, please contact the hiring authority in advance.
LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
Valid Florida driver’s license
Valid Hunter Safety Certificate
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: Fort Lauderdale
Nearest Secondary Market: Miami