Requisition No: 54276
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS-Biological Scientist I - 77902139
Position Number: 77902139
Salary: $16.00 an hour
Posting Closing Date: 03/05/2019
Title: OPS Biological Scientist I, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Location: Big Marco Pass, Caxambas, and Second Chance Critical Wildlife Areas, Collier County
Position Address: 8535 Northlake Blvd, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412
Supervisor: Natasha Warraich
Description of duties
Wildlife Surveys: Independently perform surveys of nesting and roosting seabird, shorebird, and wading bird populations through adult, nest, egg, and chick counts at Critical Wildlife Areas in Collier County. Enter nesting and roosting data according to protocols outlined on the Florida Shorebird Database (www.FLShorebirdDatabase.org).
Management Practices: Work independently in posting Critical Wildlife Areas and maintaining posted areas around nests throughout the nesting season, especially immediately after storm events or other disturbance events. Record GPS locations for posted areas and transfer the georeferenced data to spatial software such as Google Earth or ArcGIS.
Public and Partner Coordination: Communicate regularly with partners and the public on conservation activities. Respond professionally and effectively to questions and concerns. Work closely with existing partners, including Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Audubon Florida staff, to improve appreciation and support for Critical Wildlife Areas.
Surveillance and Stewardship: Responsible for overseeing and maintaining closure of posted areas and educating the public, especially during times of high beach usage, and immediately following storm or other disturbance events.
Written reports: Provide detailed and real-time written reports regarding nesting species population status, predation, management needs, and other relevant information to supervisor.
Duties will be primarily in the Marco Island area of Collier County. Work will mostly be conducted on foot, ATV, or kayak. Some surveys will be conducted by boat with a partner agency. This is a seasonal position that will work 20 hours per week the first 2 weeks of employment and 30-40 hours/week thereafter. Position to begin in April 2019 and last throughout the nesting season (approximately the end of August). As this is a near-exclusive field-oriented position, no office space or housing will be provided. Candidate must provide their own transportation to Marco Island and have access to a computer for purposes of data entry and communications. Limited administrative support will be provided from the West Palm Beach Office of the FWC. Candidate must be able to work some weekends, Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays.
Pay rate: $16.00/hr
Broadband code: 19-4021-01
Class code: 5031
Region: South
Title: OPS Biological Scientist I, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
County: Collier
Working hours: Variable
List of any subordinates supervised: None
Residency requirement: None
Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a biological science or related field
Knowledge Skills and abilities:
Candidate will have strong seabird, shorebird and wading bird identification skills. Experience with ATVs and kayaks is preferred. Candidate should have a highly flexible work schedule and can work with little direct supervision, in remote locations, and under hot and humid weather conditions. Candidate must have strong interpersonal skills for communicating with the public and partners in written and verbal methods. Applicants must possess a valid Driver’s License.
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: Palm Beach
Nearest Secondary Market: Miami