Job Opportunity Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III located in Lakeland Florida

 

Requisition No: 55129 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III - 77000661

Position Number: 77000661 

Salary:  $1,456.45 bi-weekly 

Posting Closing Date: 03/24/2019 

Position Number:  77000661

Position Title:  Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Type of Advertisement:  Open

Supervisor and position number:  Luis Gonzalez, 77000220

Broadband Code:  19-1023-03

Class Code:  5075

Address: 3900 Drane Field Road, Lakeland, FL 33811

Region:  Southwest

County:  Polk

Working hours:  Mon.-Fri. 8 am-5 pm; work hours may vary due to nature of work

List of any subordinates supervised:  None

Residency requirement:  None

Level of Education:

A Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife science or related field prefer two years of professional biological experience.

 

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of upland and wetland habitat management and restoration, including prescribed fire, mechanical and chemical vegetation control and exotic plant control; wildlife habitat survey and inventory knowledge; ability to collect and analyze biological data, produce high quality technical reports and effectively communicate the information to peers and stakeholders; experience recommending hunting and grazing as wildlife management tools; proficiency with common Windows applications and ArcGIS; well-organized, able to oversee multiple projects, set priorities, and complete tasks on schedule; incumbent must possess the initiative, motivation and self-direction necessary to work productively unsupervised alone as well as function as a member of a team; ability to work outside under inclement weather conditions and complete FWC training requirements for operating and trailering ATVs and other specialized equipment.

 

Position description and duties: 

Description:  The Office of Conservation Planning Services (CPS) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to work in the Landowner Assistance Program (LAP).  CPS provides scientific support and technical assistance to a wide array of private landowners and local, state, and federal governmental entities on habitat-related issues.  LAP wildlife biologists have the opportunity to influence management at the landscape level by working directly with private landowners, developing long-term partnerships, and contributing to the stewardship of lands representing over half of Florida’s natural resources.

 

The primary functions for this position will be to: provide technical assistance to the Florida Forest Service (FFS), private landowners and local governments through development of comprehensive habitat-based management plans; and to administer contracts with private landowners for voluntary incentive programs such as USFWS’ Partners for Fish and Wildlife; assist the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the development of wetland restoration plans for and monitoring of Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE - formerly WRP) properties; coordinate with and provide wildlife and habitat expertise to the NRCS for the implementation of Farm Bill Conservation Programs including WRE, WLFW, and EQIP.  In addition, the successful candidate is expected to participate in the promotion of Wildlife Best Management Practices for agriculture and silviculture and contribute to Imperiled Species Management Plans. 

 

Duties: Include but are not limited to: writing Conservation Plans of Operation, wetland restoration plans, reports and land management prescriptions; building and fostering long-term partnerships with public and private landowners; monitoring and administration of program-funded fish and wildlife habitat enhancement activities; collecting biological data in the field and subsequent data analysis; and planning and conducting educational workshop/field days.  In addition, the position will assist in the review and comment on resource management plans for military facilities, proposed land use planning changes and county and other land management plans.  Frequent day travel and some overnight travel will be required.

 

Desired qualifications include:

The ability to positively communicate with a wide variety of landowners who have different land uses and objectives for their property; a passion for motivating landowners to actively manage their properties in ways that benefit wildlife; the ability and desire to be open-minded while working within a team of biologists to develop long-term partnerships with private landowners, the ability to multi-task as well as work alone when needed; Geographical Information System experience; excellent written and verbal communication skills; knowledge of Florida plant/animal communities and habitat management techniques; and public speaking ability.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

Nearest Major Market: Central Florida
Nearest Secondary Market: Sebring