Shorebird Predation Management Biologist

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

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

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 (WDC) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience communicating with stakeholders and ability to coordinate resources between agencies and among sites. Strong customer service skills are an asset.
• Experience recording data and writing reports.
• Experience with a handheld GPS unit. and mapping software such as GIS or Google Earth.
• Experience trailering, loading, and driving a UTV in remote locations and difficult terrain.
• Flexible work schedule that may including long days in the field and working up to 10 consecutive days in the field.
• Ability to work effectively with little direct supervision, in remote locations, and under hot and humid weather conditions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (specifically PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Excellent critical thinking skills for addressing complex challenges in the field.
• Training will be provided on specific management techniques.

Preference will be given to candidates that have experience with mammalian and avian predation management. Experience with shorebird ID and nest searching/monitoring is preferred. Proficiency with firearms, pneumatics, and the use of a variety of traps is highly preferred.  Experience with public speaking experience is also preferred.

Description of Duties –  The position will be based in the central Florida Panhandle. This is a 40 hour/week OPS (Other Personnel Services) position. Overtime is also available. The Predation Management Biologist will work closely with shorebird program staff to conduct shorebird predation management activities at multiple sites within the Florida panhandle. The biologist will work collaboratively with a regional team and often independently in the field to achieve conservation and management goals.

• Work with shorebird biologists, to identify sources of shorebird and seabird nest loss and use tracks and other sign to identify the predator responsible when nests are lost to predation.
• Use tracking surveys to identify and evaluate the presence and spatial use patterns of potential predators in the beach/dune habitat and surrounding natural areas.
• Conduct tracking and population assessments for common nest predators using sand transects, scent stations, bait stations, and game cameras.
• Use a variety of non-lethal predator aversion techniques and investigate opportunities to develop and test novel techniques.
• Conduct lethal removal of avian and mammalian predators.
• Document all predation management activities, record GPS points and create maps of all work areas using ArcGIS or Google Earth.
• Assist with report writing, data analysis, and distributing findings.

The Predation Management Biologist will be responsible for communicating with private landowners, local land managers, partnering agencies and the public about predation management in beach dune habitat. This position will attend public meetings and educational events and participate in shorebird working groups as a spokesperson for predation management.

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