Forestry Aide

Requisition No: 429483Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionWorking Title: OPS Biological Scientist I - 77901717Position Number: 77901717Salary: $15.88 AN HOURPosting Closing Date: 08/24/2021Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionPosition Title: Southwest Imperiled Species BiologistClass Title: OPS Fish and Wildlife Biological Scientist IPosition number: 77901717Working Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm Eastern Standard Time. Work outside of these hours and >8-hour days will occasionally be required.List of Direct Reports Supervised: NoneSupervisor: Jennings, NickAddress: Southwest Regional Office, 3900 Drane Field Rd. Lakeland, FL 33811County: Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, De Soto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee, Hillsborough, PolkRegion: SouthwestOPS Hours Worked Per Fiscal Year: 1920OPS Hourly Rate: $15.88/hourBroadband Code - 19-1023-01Residency Requirement - NoneLevel of Education: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a life or physical science.Licensure, certification, or registration requirements -- Valid Florida Driver's LicenseIn addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, please attach a cover letter. This letter should at minimum explain your interest in the specific position and identify your most relevant skills and experiences.Description of Position: The Southwest Imperiled Species Biologist will employ monitoring efforts to determine if starter burrow mitigation and on-site relocation are achieving the intended conservation benefits for burrowing owls and gopher tortoises. The project will address the following questions: (1) Do starter burrows, installed for mitigation, effectively recruit burrowing owls in residential areas? (2) Do on-site relocated gopher tortoises remain on-site after disturbance ceases? (3) What is the conservation value associated with permitted on-site mitigation? The results will serve as a foundation to better understand the conservation benefits of mitigation options offered by FWC.Description of Duties: One (1) Biological Scientist I position is available in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Southwest region with work occurring primarily across the South and Southwest regions of Florida.Wildlife Surveys:* Able to independently survey and accurately record data for burrowing owls and gopher tortoises, and able to determine occupancy status from burrow characteristics.* Able to use a GPS to document survey transects and burrow locations.* Able to accurately identify plants and soil types to determine if habitat is suitable.* Able to effectively communicate with landowners and consultants to access recipient sites.* Able to plan site visits weeks ahead and independently maintain an efficient survey schedule.Management Practices:* Generate monthly reports on project progress and data analysis.* Provide technical assistance to agents and landowners for best management practices of on-site mitigation areas.* Must be familiar with the burrowing owl and gopher tortoise Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines. ( ( Acquire and maintain working knowledge of wildlife permitting administrative procedure (employee will be trained to provide basic technical assistance on protected wildlife permits)Duties will occur primarily in the Southwest region of Florida.This is a 12-month, field-based position beginning September 2021 and will last through August 2022. Work hours will be 40 hours a week, with total hours for the year not to exceed 1920. There will be limited administrative support provided from the Lakeland Regional Office of the FWC. Housing is not provided and use of a personal vehicle may be required. The FWC may provide assistance procuring housing or vehicle for highly qualified candidates.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Knowledge of common Florida habitat types, strong plant identification, and burrow searching/identification skills. Knowledge in burrowing owl and gopher tortoise ecology is highly desirable. Expertise in problem solving, planning/prioritizing work assignments, establishing and meeting deadlines and providing exceptional customer service. Ability to use a GPS, excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft word and Google Earth or similar geospatial software. Must have a highly flexible work schedule and capable of working with little direct supervision and in hot and humid weather conditions. Must be comfortable driving long distances to sites, multiple days during the week. Strong interpersonal skills for communicating with consultants, landowners, and other stakeholders. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology or similar wildlife related area. Must possess a valid driver's license.WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT?OPS (Other Personnel Services) positions are paid for the number of hours they work. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?* State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory* Workers' Compensation - mandatory* Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory* Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.)* Deferred Compensation - voluntary* Employee Assistance Program - voluntaryWHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?* Paid leave* Paid holidaysThe 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-###-####). 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.Nearest Major Market: Lakeland Associated topics: biotechnology, metabolism, microbiology, neurobiology, pathophysiology, physical, physiology, protein, stem cell, virus
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