FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000112

Requisition No: 429064

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000112

Position Number: 77000112

Salary: $1,405.49 biweekly plus benefits

Posting Closing Date: 08/11/2021

JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II SECTION: Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management - South Region SALARY: $1,405.49 biweekly plus benefits LOCATION:
South Regional Office

8535 Northlake Blvd.

West Palm Beach, FL 33412
CONTACT: Barron Moody
8535 Northlake Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33412
Barron.Moody@myfwc.com

DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES:

FWC seeks a dynamic individual to work at the interface between anglers and fisheries to manage, enhance, and promote fishing opportunity in South Florida aquatic resources. Candidates should possess strong skills and documentable experience in two or more of the following fields: fisheries science/management, aquatic ecology, natural resources management, research, conservation biology, environmental science, economics, communication, hydrology, aquatic habitat enhancement, entomology, ichthyology, socioeconomics, public policy, stakeholder engagement, engineering, statistics, modeling, human dimensions, aquaculture, and population dynamics.

Daily activities will include contributing to the team effort of collection and analysis of biological data on freshwater fisheries within the South Florida ecosystem, including studies of marsh and canal fish communities and angler harvest surveys. You will be expected to develop and recommend alternative management strategies to ensure protection, restoration, and enhancement of fisheries and fisheries habitat of South Florida. You will plan and prepare work priorities, carry out activities, and work toward meeting objectives. Further, you will assist in the communication of the work conducted by the Freshwater Fisheries Management team through preparation of regularly scheduled administrative reports, technical reports for publication based on study activities, and informal pieces for a variety of media. Opportunities for participation on inter- and intra-agency teams dealing with resource management issues effecting the region may be available.

All FWC staff are expected to 1) courteously assist Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission's programs or fish and wildlife conservation; 2) seek to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive manner. Additionally, you will be responsible for timely and accurate processing of vendor invoices and warrants for payments of goods, and 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:

• Assists regional biological staff with the development and implementation of fisheries management goals related to South Region resources including but not limited to: stakeholder interaction, habitat enhancement, data analysis, applied fisheries sampling, coordinating with cooperators and other governmental agencies, and promotional and educational opportunities.
  
• Work with Freshwater Fisheries Research, Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, and Invasive Plant Management personnel to design, permit, and accomplish habitat maintenance and improvement projects.
  
• Assists in developing partnerships in aquatic resource management projects with federal, state and local agencies, and stakeholders.
  
• Establishes and maintains stakeholder contacts with anglers, fish camps, local governmental officials, tackle shop owners, fishing guides, outdoor media, fishing clubs, Non-Government Organizations (NGO's), etc. to ensure effective, two-way communication relative to FWC programs and projects.
  
• Assesses freshwater fisheries resources utilizing established sampling methodologies and gear.
  
• Plan, lead, and complete data collection, compilation, management, and analysis.
  
• Drafting of quarterly and annual reports.
  
• Operates/maintains boats, motors, trailers, and other sampling equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Florida's freshwater fish, fisheries, fish population dynamics, and fish management techniques
• Knowledge of freshwater aquatic plants and related management techniques
• Knowledge of aquatic habitat restoration techniques
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques relevant to fisheries biology
• Knowledge of project planning
• Skill in writing (both technical and popular articles)
• Skill in the maintenance and operation of boats, outboard motors, fish sampling equipment, trailers, etc.
• Skill in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, data analysis, fish population analysis programs, etc.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and reasoning in decision making and problem solving
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public, stakeholders, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission staff
• Ability to implement project management techniques and practices (scheduling/task management) to ensure completion of programs and projects in an effective and timely manner
• Ability to write and edit technical reports in a timely manner
• Ability to professionally explain Project, Division, and Agency programs, policies, and procedures to the public and other stakeholders
• Ability to develop new or revised habitat restoration or enhancement techniques based on system conditions
• Ability to work with internal and external personnel, managers, government officials, riparian land owners, and other stakeholders
• Ability demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills to work with internal and external customers
• Ability to operate independently and in teams to achieve project objectives
• Ability to design and conduct biological studies/surveys
• Ability to identify freshwater fish to species level

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license.
• Must possess a valid boaters safety education identification card prior to operating any agency vessel. The selected employee must already possess a boater safety card or be willing and able to obtain one within 30 days of hiring.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a life or physical science.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a life or physical science and two years of professional experience in a field or laboratory program; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in a life or physical science, preferably in the fisheries/aquaculture sciences.

In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a current resume and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and interest in the position.

POSITION DETAILS:

Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EDT, Monday through Friday

This position requires periodic work time on weekends and evenings. Occasional overnight travel is required.

State of Florida Benefits Include:

• Health and Dental packages
• Supplemental Insurance options
• Paid Annual and Sick Leave
• Paid holidays (11)
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Tax Deferred Investment Plan - Voluntary
• Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts - Voluntary
• Free Basic Life Insurance benefit for $25,000 with additional options to increase
• Tuition Waiver
• Uniform Allowances

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.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.