Biological Administrator I A – SES

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:

• A high school diploma and seven years experience in a biological or planning field. A bachelor’s degree can substitute for four of the seven years of experience.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred, along with three years of professional experience in planning, evaluation, research analysis, business, government, social services, health or rehabilitative services, or fiscal work OR a master’s degree in one of the biological sciences, urban planning, or a related field, along with two years of professional experience in planning, evaluation, research analysis, business, government, social services, health or rehabilitative services, or fiscal work.
• Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership skills: position supervises three land conservation planners.
• Ability to manage multifaceted projects under various time constraints in compliance with Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code.
• Organizational skills to determine work priorities, assign work, ensure proper completion of work assignments, solve problems, assess budgetary needs, and make decisions.
• Ability to present at public hearings and facilitate public meetings to accomplish state-owned conservation land management plan requirements. Experience working with the public and facilitating public meetings strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and ability to use a variety of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and databases. GIS training and background strongly preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively, establish and maintain working relationships with others.
• Ability to efficiently coordinate and conduct meetings with peers and other State agencies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to travel for up to five days at a time 8-10 times per year to conduct site visits, host public meetings, and/or assist supervised planners with the execution of assigned meetings and public hearings.
• Florida Driver’s License required.

Description:

The Land Conservation and Planning (LCP) program offers an exciting opportunity in land conservation planning, working closely with land managers and stakeholders across the state to complete ten-year management plans for FWC managed conservation lands (i.e., 59 areas, over 1.5 million acres).

This program is responsible for the administration and implementation of the FWC’s land acquisition and land management planning programs and projects statewide. The position advertised is for the Senior Conservation Planner in the Wildlife and Habitat Management section of the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation of FWC, supervising three planners to complete management plans; reviewing and commenting on other agencies’ management plans and Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) agenda items; as well as working closely with the land acquisition team on FWC’s acquisition list and State priority projects.

Duties:

• Supervises and manages the direct reports (i.e., three planners).
• Coordinates the development, editing, updating and review of land management plans developed by planners for FWC-managed lands and planning projects, including reviewing GlS data, analyses, and maps.
• Develop reports, templates, schedules, timelines, and project assignments for LCP planners.
• Develops databases, spreadsheets, and other types of documents relating to the FWC’s conservation planning programs.
• Attends, supervises, and facilitates Management Advisory Group meetings, workshops, and public hearings, working with federal, state, private partners, NGOs, landowners, and others.
• Develop presentations for FWC projects and programs at public meetings and reviews presentations created by LCP planners.
• Administers the travel and expense budgets for the planning group.
• Assists with the development and review of the land acquisition program and projects including development of associated documents.
• Reviews ARC agenda items, as necessary, and assists with Florida Forever project ranking and evaluations.
• Conducts all training for new hires that report to this position. This includes creating and updating training materials and reviewing work completed.
• Reviews or develops related web Information for the LCP webpages.
• Develops and inputs annual LCP work plans and accomplishment reports.
• Perform required training to enhance and maintain professional development and skills.
• Ensures all GIS based servers, projects, geodatabases, and programs are functioning correctly and are up to date.
• Reviews, develops, writes, and analyzes legislation, rules, plans, status reports, correspondence and participates in forums, meetings, and teams within the conservation field.