Critical Wildlife Area Biologist

Description of Duties:

FWC is seeking an energetic and collaborative individual to serve as a Shorebird Biologist for Tyndall Critical Wildlife Area and surrounding areas. The position engages in year-round monitoring of focal shorebird and seabird species and collaborates with partners to reduce threats to nesting birds. The position monitors breeding and nonbreeding shorebirds, manages data, creates data products, and drafts reports and presentations to inform shorebird conservation and management actions.

The biologist will work collaboratively with a regional team and often independently in the field to achieve conservation and management goals. The position is primarily field based and will collect data targeting specific information needs, lead field monitoring at assigned sites and other data gathering activities. This individual will assist in report writing and will present monitoring results to stakeholders and partners. The individual will also be responsible for logistics associated with all aspects of field operations, including shorebird surveys, posting signage, regular maintenance of vehicles and equipment, as well as coordination with partners and regular service volunteers. 

The Shorebird Biologist is part of an active network of partners including volunteers, partner agencies, land managers, and conservation professionals that work together to achieve monitoring and management goals for imperiled shorebirds in Florida.

Position is funded by multi-year grants (>5 years).

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.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife Diversity Conservation section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum qualifications:

A high school diploma and 6 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 6 years of required experience.

Additional requirements:

• Experience with scientific data collection, data management, and reporting.
• Knowledge of shorebird biology and applied experience with monitoring, implementing conservation actions, and adaptive management.
• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, including long (8-12 hour) days engaging in physically demanding work, outdoors and in all weather conditions.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience leading field missions, and using wildlife monitoring tools (e.g., game cameras, band resighting, GPS).
• Experience with towing and operation of vessels and UTVs.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Data management experience.
• Experience creating data products, reports, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain working relationships.