OPS F & W BS IV - 77902315

Requisition No: 392424

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BS IV - 77902315

Position Number: 77902315

Salary: $21.40 an hour

Posting Closing Date: 07/06/2021

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F & W BS IV - 77902315

Position Number: 77902315

Salary: $25.00 an hour

Class Title: Fish & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

Office/Section: Conservation Planning Services

Supervisor: Josh Cucinella

Working hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., 40 hours/week

Prefered Years of Experience Desired: 2+

Education: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a life or physical science is required; A Master's degree preferred

% Travel Required: +/- 10%

Description of duties: The Office of Conservation Planning Services (OCPS) works with private landowners that are looking to enhance wildlife and habitat conservation on their properties or are pursuing some form of land use change that may affect fish and wildlife resources. Such activities may include agriculture/forestry activities, transportation infrastructure, industrial operations, power generation and transmission, residential developments, and large-scale community planning. OCPS provides technical assistance regarding land management, species management, habitat restoration, and forestry and agriculture land use issues.

We are seeking a qualified candidate with human dimensions expertise to evaluate stakeholder values, opinions, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to fish and wildlife conservation on private lands in Florida, including imperiled species conservation and human-wildlife interactions. This position will focus on identifying critical management issues with social science data gaps and developing management and research strategies to fill social science data gaps that will yield insights needed to make management decisions. This position will be responsible for working with agency staff and partners to further existing social sciences work, and supplement existing inquiry efforts at the agency's recently established Center for Conservation Social Science Research. This position will also work with other FWC staff in the Public Access Services Office and the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section to work on existing social science research projects related to Wildlife Management Areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of social science research concepts, principles, and practices in relation to natural resources management issues. Ability to properly design, implement, and analyze social science inquiries to evaluate stakeholder motivations, attitudes, and behaviors towards natural resource management on private and public lands. Knowledge of necessary programs and software to successfully design, implement, and analyze social science inquiries. Ability to statistically analyze complex data sets, and effectively use necessary programs and software for analysis. Ability to effectively communicate with the public and professional groups. Knowledge and ability to write professional, technical, and popular articles and publications. Knowledge of natural resource management, specifically imperiled species and private lands conservation issues, and a working knowledge of forestry and agriculture land uses. Responsible for providing technical expertise in the development and implementation of human dimensions of wildlife related contracts.

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. Responsibilities may include legislative interactions. Courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation, generally. Seeks to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

Desired minimum requirements: A Bachelor's degree in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Natural Resources Recreation or related discipline. Master's degree is preferred. Candidate must have expertise in social science, with training in both theory and inquiry techniques. Candidate must have relevant experience with the design, implementation, and analysis of social science inquiry and other techniques used for evaluation of stakeholder values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to natural resource management. Successful candidate will have an understanding of private lands conservation in Florida, including imperiled species conservation and human-wildlife interactions, strong analytical and writing skills, proficient in relevant programs and software necessary to effectively conduct research related to social science inquiry, effective communication skills, ability to work collaboratively with other scientists, and strong leadership skills. A cover letter and resume should be included with the application package.

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.