Job Description

Requisition No: 841994 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fish & Wildlife Bio Sci III - 77900308

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77900308 

Salary: $21.63 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 01/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

FWC Mission Statement: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Position Number: 77900308

Address & Phone number: 1875 Orange Ave East, Tallahassee, FL 32311, 850-922-4330

Supervisor: Cheryl Spencer

 

Description of Position & Duties: The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six sections and two offices. This position is in the Imperiled Species Management Section.

We are looking for an Area Bear Biologist that will be hired to provide human-bear conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement in the east panhandle of Florida. This position is one of five Area Bear Biologists located in key locations across the state. The position will work as part of a team with staff from other Sections and Divisions to respond to public requests for assistance with human-bear conflicts, which will include site visits to provide technical assistance and assess causes of conflicts, trapping, immobilizing and either relocating or euthanizing bears, and retrieving biological information from and disposing of carcasses of dead bears. The position will coordinate the activities of multiple Bear Response Contractors, manage a bear deterrent loaner equipment program for the public, manage bear traps and other equipment for agency use, and enter field data on bears collected in their area of responsibility into an agency-wide online wildlife database. The position will actively seek out and provide outreach opportunities to partner agencies, local governments, businesses, and residents at public events, meetings, schools, and other venues and maintain communications and relationships with local stakeholders. The position will assist in the implementation of many strategies outlined in the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan for their area of responsibility .

This is a 2-year term position with the possibility of extension

Pay Rate: $21.63 per hour

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Region: Northwest

Class Title: Biological Scientist III

County: Leon

Office Address: 1875 Orange Ave East, Tallahassee, FL 32311, 850-922-4330

Working Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm, a flex schedule may be considered

List of Subordinates Supervised: None

Residency Requirement: Within 30 miles of office location

Level of Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree preferred in environmental science, biology, or other natural resources field, Experience working with wildlife, preferably human-wildlife conflicts – 1 year required, 2+ years preferred. Experience with trapping and handling wildlife, preferably bears. Experience working with stakeholder groups. Graduate degree may substitute for some related professional experience. Proficiency in MS software applications - Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required, Salesforce and SharePoint preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge, skill and ability to design, coordinate, implement and evaluate a variety of effective human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies and techniques.
• Ability to work well as part of a team to accomplish tasks.
• Ability to provide clear, timely, and effective updates to supervisor.
• Ability to communicate and manage high stress situations in a calm, organized, and professional manner.
• Ability to engage with stakeholders for effective conservation and management efforts.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally to large and small groups with various educational backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently to plan, coordinate, and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to represent agency viewpoint without personal conflicts.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, mechanical winch, bear trap, dart rifle, and shotgun, as well as safely pull trailers.
• Ability to be trained to use chemical immobilization methods and handle all aspects required to maintain a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency license.
• Ability to accurately collect and enter field data in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work in harsh outdoor conditions in high heat and humidity carrying heavy loads and exposed to biting insects and venomous snakes.
• Ability to work in a highly adaptive environment. 
• Ability to work well with a variety of personalities and with persons of varied levels of wildlife conservation understanding.
• Skilled in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, and data management.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, with potential night, weekend, and/or holiday work hours.

Other requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. Occasional overnight travel is required.

OPS Employment Description: This is a full-time OPS (Other Personnel Services) position. OPS employees are paid for the number of hours they work. OPS employees do not receive paid leave, or paid holidays. OPS staff have the potential for health insurance benefits and participation in the Deferred Compensation investment retirement program.

How to Apply: Application packets must be submitted through the State of Florida’s official employment site () and must include a cover letter and resume in addition to the state application.

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.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Holiday work, Full time, Temporary work, For contractors, Local area, Relocation, Outdoor, Flexible hours, Night shift,

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