Aquatic Habitat Restoration – Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Scientist III – 77000967

Requisition No: 832983 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III – 77000967

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000967 

Salary:  $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 09/17/2024 

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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.

Address: 601 W. Woodward Avenue, Eustis, Florida, 32726

County: Lake

Region: Northeast

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III – 77000967

Position number: 77000967

Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code: 5074

Working Hours: M-F, 8 AM – 5 PM (Hours may vary based on workload and may be required to work weekends and non-traditional hours.)

Salary: $1,730.77 bi-weekly + benefits

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division: Habitat and Species Conservation

Section: Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration

Sub-section: Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement

Supervisor: Dan Kolterman

Phone:   (352) 800-5024

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

Applicants must provide a resume and cover letter. 

Applicants must provide examples of peer reviewed papers and published papers.

Note that supporting documentation does not replace the requirement for a completed State of Florida employment application form. 

Description Of Duties: 
The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. The Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRE) of the Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section is seeking an aquatic habitat restoration biologist to develop and manage projects on lakes, rivers, and wetlands to benefit fish and wildlife resources.  The position will work within the Central Florida AHRE multidisciplinary team, and independently.

This position is responsible for development of budget proposals, project specifications, contract management, and reporting. The position identifies aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement opportunities, secures internal or external project funding, hires and oversees contractors to complete habitat projects, and conducts assessment of project effectiveness.  In addition, the position will interact professionally with the public and partners providing technical expertise on aquatic habitat management. Occasional travel is required to attend regional and divisional meetings and trainings.

Required Duties Include But Are Not Limited to The Following:

• Identify, develop, coordinate, and implement wetland and aquatic habitat restoration projects that maximize benefits to fish and wildlife resources
• Removal of nuisance vegetation and organic sediments, herbicide treatment of aquatic plants, planting of beneficial wetland vegetation species and utilization of other wetland restoration techniques.
• Procure necessary state and federal permits required for project implementation.
• Develop project bid documents and contracts.
• Provide contract management of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.
• Provide contractor oversight of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.
• Operation of drones for vegetation or wildlife management
• Work across FWC divisions and cooperate with other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others as appropriate to implement FWC’s aquatic habitat restoration program.
• Participate in and provide input to internal (FWC sponsored) and external (non-FWC sponsored) aquatic resource management groups.
• Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of wetland and aquatic habitat monitoring and sampling.
• Evaluate and predict environmental response to project activities in coordination with other FWC division, office, and section personnel.
• Create and maintain databases of collected scientific data and maps of project areas using appropriate computer software.
• Prepare, publish, and present project management plans and relevant project findings through internal (quarterly/annual/completion reports and management plans) and external (peer-reviewed publications, professional and public meeting, etc.) outlets.
• Perform other project-related duties and tasks as directed by supervisor.
• Be proficient in the operation of 4X4 vehicles and maintenance of project vehicles.
• Be proficient in the operation of boats, trailers, and airboats and maintenance of boats, trailers, and airboats.
• Be proficient in the operation of UTVs and ATVs and maintenance of UTVs and ATVs.
• Be proficient in the use of field and laboratory equipment and maintenance of field and laboratory equipment.
• Assist other AHRE and Commission projects as necessary.
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Responsible for timely and accurate processing and or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors.
• Responsible for 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 procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledgeable in principles of aquatic ecology and fish/wildlife habitat management
• Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of aquatic habitat management and restoration, including revegetation, mechanical and chemical vegetation control, and organic sediment removal
• Knowledge of GIS and GPS and its application to habitat management and surveys
• Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office applications
• Two years of experience in developing scopes of work
• Two years of experience in contract management
• Two years of experience in contractor oversight
• Experience using drones for vegetation or wildlife management
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and other stakeholders
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, with limited supervision
• Ability to operate boats, airboats, 4WD vehicles, UTVs/ATVs, and tow trailers
• Ability to work outdoors under harsh weather conditions
• Ability to effectively swim and be comfortable in the water
• Ability to conduct in-water/under water work for extended periods of time
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours as necessary

Required Attachments to be uploaded with State of Florida application: 

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Examples of peer reviewed papers and published papers

Desired qualifications include:

• Strong knowledge of freshwater ecology, habitat assessment, and management techniques
• Familiarity with state and federal wetland permitting
• Experience with project management, contract management, and oversight of contracted vendors

Subordinates Supervised: None

Residency Requirement: None

Licenses requirement: Valid driver’s license

Level of Education:  Prefer a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program, OR a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional experience preferred, OR six years of directly related experience.

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.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  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. 

Location:  

EUSTIS, FL, US, 32726 EUSTIS, FL, US, 32727 EUSTIS, FL, US, 32736

Nearest Major Market: Orlando