Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator - FWC (Gainesville)

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Posting Closing Date: 11/18/2024 

Anticipated Vacancy

Salary: $2,552.50 biweekly

Region: North Central

County: Alachua

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F.  Overnight travel may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: Minimum four (4) FTE Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

Address: 6224 NW 43rd Street, Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32653

Supervisor: Sarah Funck, Wildlife Impact Management Section Leader

Minimum Qualifications:  A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred, with major course of study in one of the biological sciences is preferred and at least three years of professional biological experience; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university preferred with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional experience; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences preferred.

A valid driver’s license required. 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 should be uploaded to the People First System. Should you have a problem submitting these through the People First System, email directly to Sarah.Funck@MyFWC.com

Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

Description of Position:

The Wildlife Impact Management Section of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as the section’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator. The mission of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program is to minimize adverse impacts of nonnative fish and wildlife on Florida’s environment, economy, and human health and safety. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for supervising staff, managing daily operations, successfully implementing priority projects and programs, managing budget, planning fiscal year activities with staff, and actively providing leadership for nonnative fish and wildlife issues in Florida through collaboration with partners and stakeholders. The incumbent courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation generally and seeks to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

The incumbent serves as the Program Coordinator of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program. This program provides statewide leadership, including monitoring of new species introductions, assessing nonnative species impacts, implementing nonnative fish and wildlife management and research, developing, and implementing policies and regulation, and coordination with the Wildlife Impact Management Section Leader, partners, and stakeholders on nonnative fish and wildlife issues.

This position is responsible for leading the development of FWC policy on nonnative fish and wildlife species and permitting issues, and assisting with coordination of administrative rule development for nonnative species, including review of species biological profiles, application of risk analysis, and drafting rule language.

The incumbent is also expected to work closely and effectively with internal and external stakeholders, such as FWC Division of Law Enforcement’s Captive Wildlife, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, pet industry representatives, and other state and federal agencies and may represent the FWC at meetings and appropriate conferences. The incumbent may serve on or lead agency teams and serve on interagency work groups or technical assistance groups.

The incumbent is responsible for providing oversight to the nonnative fish and wildlife permitting staff to issue permits according to agency policy and statutory requirements, and to implement appropriate training to make this team successful.

The Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator is expected to effectively manage an annual budget, contracts and grants, and develop annual work plans based on team-identified long- and short-term program priorities.  

Supervisory responsibilities include direct supervision at minimum of four FTE positions with additional oversight of OPS staff within the program.  

The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor. 

These duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Making budget requests, or assisting with Agency, Division or Section priorities;

  • Timely and accurate processing and/or approval of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors;

  • Adhering to the provisions and requirements of Section 215.422, F.S., related to State Comptroller's rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution;

  • Performing other duties as required.

 

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

  • Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills;

  • Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;

  • Demonstrated working knowledge and experience in regulatory and rule development processes; 

  • Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment, and to adhere to regulatory time constraints;

  • Knowledge of wildlife science and ecology;

  • Familiarity with nonnative species issues;

  • Technical writing ability;

  • Supervisory experience;

  • Demonstrated excellence in public speaking; and

  • Experience working with the public and/or stakeholders. 

 

Desired qualifications include:

  • Demonstrated leadership abilities;  

  • Experience and education in nonnative species biology;

  • Ability and desire to be open-minded while working within a team of biologists to develop long-term solutions to nonnative fish and wildlife management challenges;

  • Ability to multi-task as well as work independently when needed;

  • Experience using databases (MS Access and MS Excel);

  • Knowledge of Florida plant/animal communities;

  • Ability to travel less than 25%, for several days at a time throughout Florida.