Click here to view more details and apply.
FWC - FWRI office of Terrestrial Mammal Research
OPS F&W Biologist II
$18-20 per hour depending on experience
Posting Opening Date: 08/12/2024
Posting Closing Date: 09/02/2024
Start Date: 9/05/2024 - 9/19/2024, flexible
1105 SW Williston Road
Gainesville, FL 32601
Our organization:
The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.
Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.
Minimum Qualifications:
5 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required. Valid driver license
OR
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience. Valid drivers license.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences is preferred.
Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.
Position requires a combination of office and field work. Work hours vary and may require nonstandard work times including nights, weekends, and workdays that extend beyond 8 hours. Employee will be compensated for approved overtime. Trips for field work may be required for up to 2 weeks during which lodging and compensation for meals/per diem will be provided. Rabies vaccination or passing rabies titer test within the past two years will be required upon hiring.
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
Employee’s primary responsibility will be to assist with field work and data management for several projects focusing on forest bat species throughout central and southern Florida. This research focuses on tricolored bats and Florida bonneted bats with an emphasis on characterizing roosts, evaluating genetics, and conducting population monitoring. The results of these studies will directly inform management and conservation strategies for these threatened and federally endangered species. Position will work in several protected areas near Naples, Miami, and Gainesville that may include but is not limited to: Big Cypress National Preserve, Southern Glades WEA and Ocala National Forest. Employee will work both cooperatively with supervisor and colleagues, and independently.
Data collection for these projects may include but is not limited to: acoustic surveys, bat capture and processing, radio-tagging and tracking, emergence counts and vegetation surveys. Employee will capture bats using mist nets, collect samples and morphometric measurements, and use radiotelemetry to track bats on the ground during the day to locate their roosts. Employee will assist with winter surveys of caves, culverts and bridges for roosting bats, collect environmental data, and conduct surveillance for white-nose syndrome through swabbing. Employee will conduct emergence counts and vegetation surveys at roosts. Employee will ensure that all data collected are organized clearly and entered into appropriate databases and stored appropriately for future analysis or review and will assist with preparing reports, tables and figures.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of wildlife ecology principles and techniques, mammalian biology and conservation, and techniques for capturing or monitoring of wild mammals
Experience capturing bats and a familiarity with methods used to study bats
Strong skills with data management including data entry, organization, and experience with QA/QCing data.
Skills in the safe and proper use of scientific and field equipment, including 4-wheel-drive and off-road vehicles; Must possess valid driver’s license
Ability to work with FWC staff and other agencies, biologists, managers and private citizens
Ability to work independently in extreme field conditions and isolated locations
Ability to work a variable schedule to complete tasks and responsibilities as required
Working knowledge and experience with MS Excel or other data management software
Ability to write and speak clearly and properly when communicating with fellow employees or the public