Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Scientist III

Description of duties: The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated biologist to lead a team of Wildlife and Habitat Management Section staff on the Okaloacoochee (OK) Slough Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Hendry County, Florida. Primary responsibilities include planning, development, and implementation of hydrologic, habitat, and wildlife management programs for this 58,880-acre WMA. This includes the application of prescribed fire, conducting and providing oversight for invasive vegetation control, assisting in the development and promotion of public use programs including both hunting and non-hunting uses, and helping to set management and restoration objectives consistent with agency and division directives. Additionally, this position will conduct wildlife and vegetation surveys, coordinate and implement managed public hunts on the WMA, as well as the Stormwater Treatment Area(s) as needed, collect biological data from hunter-harvested animals, prepare and submit administrative and biological reports, maintain equipment in a safe and useable condition, and further agency goals through interactions with cooperating agencies and stakeholders. This position also must successfully coordinate with the Florida Forest Service on management issues related to the neighboring OK Slough State Forest. This Lead Area Biologist position will work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning. The successful candidate will supervise three full-time staff of one Biological Scientist II and two Fish & Wildlife Technicians, and will supervise seasonal hunter check station operators as necessary. The incumbent will regularly work independently in the field. The incumbent will attend regional and divisional meetings as well as various training courses as necessary. 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of Florida ecosystems and natural processes, wildlife ecology, ecosystem management, water management, fire ecology and plant succession. Applied knowledge of the principles and practices of 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. Ability to track spending and monitor budgets. Ability to create scientific reports free of grammatical and typographical errors. Ability to interact with stakeholders, co-workers, and cooperating agencies in a professional manner. Knowledge of hunting as a wildlife management tool. Familiarity with infrastructure development and maintenance. Familiarity with outdoor recreational activities and the facilities needed to support them. Proficiency with typical Windows applications and ArcGIS. Ability to effectively supervise staff. Well-organized, able to communicate effectively, and able to supervise and delegate tasks effectively. Ability to oversee multiple projects and set priorities. 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 operate outside under inclement weather conditions and specialized off-road vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications: At least 2 years of experience in habitat and/or wildlife management. Supervisory experience. Florida Prescribed Burn Manager. Strong familiarity with both native and exotic vegetation in South Florida. Experience with habitat restoration work, wildlife surveys, and prescribed burning.