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Requisition No: 44345 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77901758

Position Number: 77901758 

Salary:  $20.44 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 09/28/2018 

Anticipated Vacancy

This advertisement will be used to fill multiple vacancies located in Marion and Bay Counties.
 

DESCRIPTION

Title:  OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Working Title: Wildlife Assistance Biologist – Northwest Region, Northeast Region

Salary:  $20.44/hour, 40 Hours a week

Position number:  77901758

Class Code: 5074

Broadband Level: LEVEL 3 - LIFE AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE 19-1023-03

Level of Education: A Bachelor’s degree with a major in wildlife science, ecology, natural resources, or similar discipline.

Region: Northwest, Northeast

County: Bay, Marion

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F, some nights and weekend work may be required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: None

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division: Habitat and Species Conservation

Section: Wildlife Impact Management

Sub-section: Wildlife Assistance Program

Work Address:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Northwest Regional Office

3911 Hwy. 2321

Panama City, FL 32409

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Northeast Regional Office

1239 SW 10th St

Ocala, FL 34471

Supervisor: Catherine Kennedy, Senior Wildlife Assistance Biologist – North Florida

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in wildlife science, ecology, natural resources, or similar discipline. Preference will be given to applicants with at least 2 years wildlife-related professional experience and experience with wildlife-related education and outreach

Applicants are required to submit a current resume and a cover letter highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position.

Description of Position:

The Wildlife Impact Management Section is seeking energetic and motivated candidates to serve as Wildlife Assistance Biologists for Florida’s Northwest Region and Northeast Region. The incumbents serve as the primary regional point of contact and provide information and technical assistance to the public, other agencies, and other Commission staff about wildlife issues including human-wildlife conflict resolution strategies. Assistance may be provided over the phone, in person, or in writing. These positions are located in the Northwest and Northeast regional offices and work outside of normal business hours is generally not required. Some field work may occur but is not a regular component of this position. The successful candidates will occasionally represent the Wildlife Assistance Program at outreach events, presentations to citizen groups, and site visits to provide technical assistance, conflict mitigation strategies, and equipment as necessary. The Wildlife Assistance Biologists works across multiple Divisions and Sections within FWC to:  

• Coordinate management of nuisance wildlife situations including those involving bears, coyotes, birds, and other species
• Network to establish clear communication across the agency about emerging wildlife issues
• Assist with the development and implementation of response protocols for human-wildlife conflict situations
• Review and comment on permits to take wildlife.

Responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

• Coordinate and assist with regional programs and activities by providing technical assistance to the public and other agencies on means to address human-wildlife conflicts
• Maintain familiarity with prevalent conflict wildlife issues and continually identify and share best technical assistance practices and protocols as required
• Regularly assist and coordinate coverage for other regional wildlife assistance biologists
• Maintain a daily log of public correspondence via the Wildlife Impact Management System
• Maintain and update as necessary contact information for local animal control agencies, county health departments, and wildlife rehabilitators
• Participate in public outreach efforts as directed to increase appreciation for wildlife and address conflict wildlife abatement or other wildlife-related issues
• Assist regional Public Information Coordinators with media and stakeholder information requests
• Review, and maintain as necessary, current literature on wildlife biology and conflict wildlife abatement techniques
• Create and update information for the AskFWC program and respond to printed or posted requests on FWC’s web and social media pages to answer questions about wildlife or wildlife conflict resolution
• Occasionally support the FWC’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program management efforts
• Remain up-to-date on Commission rules and regulations regarding protected wildlife, the take of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict abatement, and related issues

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view.

Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Department of Financial Services rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines. The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation
• Ability to troubleshoot and assist the public while communicating over the phone
• Skilled in the use of computers for word processing, information management, communications, data management, and mapping
• Knowledge of and experience with animal damage control techniques
• Ability to identify native and non-native wildlife
• Knowledge of wildlife issues in Florida
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints with minimal supervision
• Good organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Demonstrated ability to positively and effectively communicate and work with the public, stakeholder representatives, and coworkers
• Demonstrated skill in customer care
• Ability to travel overnight less than 25% of the time

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Florida driver’s license

WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) employment is a temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. 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 (upon meeting eligibility requirements)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• Any form of paid leave
• Paid holidays
• Participation in the Florida Retirement System
• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

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.

Nearest Major Market: Panama City