Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS F & W BS III - 77902342
Position Number: 77902342
Salary: $18.21-22.15/hour 40 Hours a week; commensurate upon experience
Posting Closing Date: 05/20/2018
Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III
Working Title: OPS Python Incentives and Education Specialist
Salary: $18.21-22.15/hour 40 Hours a week; commensurate upon experience
Broadband/Class Code: 19-1023-02
Level of Education: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences.
Region: South
Working hours: 40hrs/week, 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
Location Address:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife Impact Management Section
Supervisor:
Melissa Miller; Interagency Python Management Coordinator
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wildlife Impact Management Section
Minimum Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. A valid Florida driver’s license required. In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a resume and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.
Cover letters and resumes should 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 assist the Interagency Python Management Coordinator with Burmese python-related programs and initiatives. Primary responsibilities will be to manage the Python Removal Contractor Program, coordinate the Python Patrol training program, manage the incentives-based Python Pickup Program, and assist with other education/outreach and nonnative fish and wildlife related initiatives. The person selected will be responsible for assisting the Interagency Python Management Coordinator with the continuation of the Python Removal Contractor Program which may include communicating with contractors, hiring new contractors, maintaining detailed records of contractor data, verifying data and GPS track logs, creating and processing contractor invoices, handling submitted pythons, and verifying morphometrics. Other duties include assisting with python-related public or partner workshops and meetings, conducting 12-15 Python Patrol trainings per year including identifying locations for trainings, planning and organizing trainings with partners, assisting with the Nonnative Volunteer Responder Network trainings and other educational initiatives as needed, and working with staff to advertise trainings and the Python Pickup Program.
The incumbent will be required to travel extensively throughout the state (primarily south and southwest regions) to host workshops, training sessions and educational events, attend meetings and to interact with partners engaged in Burmese python and other nonnative species control and management. The incumbent should be able to work independently and have an ability to effectively communicate with a variety of stakeholders with varying perspectives.
Additional duties will include:
- Assisting the Interagency Python Management Coordinator and Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator as needed;
- Developing education, outreach, or promotional materials for all nonnative fish and wildlife programs;
- Providing technical assistance for stakeholders;
- Assisting with writing quarterly and annual reports in a timely manner.
The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.
In carrying out duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware and abide by the Commission's standards of conduct, as well as any and all Commission rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
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:
- Demonstrated skill in public speaking and written and verbal communications;
- Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service;
- Demonstrated working knowledge and experience handling nonnative wildlife;
- Familiarity with nonnative species issues;
- Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
- Ability to use and teach others how to use GPS units;
- Familiarity with handling large constrictors or other wildlife;
- Experience designing outreach materials;
- Experience working with the public and stakeholder representatives.
Desired qualifications include:
- Ability to identify native and nonnative wildlife;
- Ability to plan public events;
- Ability to communicate complex and technical information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences;
- Familiarity with using large databases;
- Ability to multi-task as well as work without close supervision when needed;
- Computer experience (MS Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and Garmin BaseCamp);
- Ability to travel less than 25%.
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
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