Requisition No: 40274
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS-F&W Biological Scientist IV - 77902338
Posting Closing Date: 08/12/2018
Position #: 77902338
OPS/Career Service/SES/SMS: OPS
Class Title: Fish & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV
Office/Section: Conservation Planning Services
Location: Tallahassee
Supervisor: Jason Hight
Biweekly Salary: $21.40 to $26.00 hourly / $44,507.32 to $54,080 Annually
Advertisement: Open Competitive
Working hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., NTE 40 hours/week
List of any subordinates supervised: none
Years of Experience Desired: 3+
Education: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred
% Travel Required: +/- 40%
Description of duties:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Office of Conservation Planning Services is seeking a fish and wildlife professional to provide technical assistance to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for transportation planning activities related to state-listed fish and wildlife species. The position requires an understanding of fish and wildlife ecology and management needs, as well as a practical knowledge of transportation project related environmental reviews, habitat management and natural resource conservation practices. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their proficiency in technical writing and fish and wildlife assessment. The ideal candidate will have mastered these knowledge, skills and abilities and possess natural resource management, imperiled species management, or environmental permitting experience.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Serves as a transportation biologist in the Land Use Planning (LUP). Work involves close coordination and collaboration with FDOT, other fish and wildlife professionals, and stakeholders internal and external to the agency. It requires biological data analysis, report-writing, preparation of training plans and materials, and monitoring and evaluating work plan outcomes.
This position is responsible for assisting CPS with its responsibilities to FDOT for participation in the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) process, and special initiatives related to imperiled species management, wildlife permitting and to the training of transportation professionals.
Specific duties include developing and coordinating conservation actions for the implementation of the Imperiled Species Management Plan in transportation planning and roadway construction; providing fish and wildlife expertise; developing, coordinating, and/or implementing management actions, outreach and communication products, study designs, and monitoring programs; representing FWC at meetings and conferences; developing and maintaining effective communications between units within the FWC; and acting as a liaison and building effective partnerships with FDOT and other agencies; and handling issues that are both high profile and extremely controversial in a highly independent manner. Works directly with FWC’s Species Conservation Planning and Imperiled Species Management Sections to coordinate fish and wildlife management with transportation professionals.
The position is responsible for timely and accurate processing and or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors. It is responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements of Section 215.422, F.S., related to State Comptroller’s rules, as well as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures. Responsibilities may include legislative interactions. The position is expected to courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation, generally. It is expected to actively garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner.
Desired Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife or fisheries management, zoology, environmental sciences or other closely related curriculum. A Graduate Degree and two years of professional experience is preferred. Candidates must have experience writing and reviewing technical documents, must have experience with imperiled species or their habitats, and should be familiar with land use applications and/or permits. Successful candidates will have experience collaborating with entities of varying interests and be able to capably manage conflict. A cover letter, resume and sample of original technical writing must be included with the application package.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Working knowledge of FWC’s statutory and regulatory authority, including but not limited to the Agency’s jurisdictional resource issues, resource management, policies, guidelines, and protection initiatives.
- Understanding of the FWC’s role in reviewing transportation projects and related technical reports, including Natural Resources Evaluation Reports and wildlife and habitat permits.
- Working knowledge of FDOT Project Development and Environment (PD&E) procedures and documents.
- Working knowledge of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Imperiled Species Management and related Species Action Plans and Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines.
- Ability to review, understand, and relate fish and wildlife biological and resource management expertise to an analysis of potential jurisdictional resource impacts from transportation projects and identify solutions to address the potential impacts.
- Specialized experience and education in wildlife or fisheries biology, land management, natural resources, upland and wetland ecology, environmental impact review and assessment, or other related environmental sciences
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: Tallahassee