FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 77072954

The State of Florida is hiring a Fish & Wildlife Biological Scientist II in Lakeland, FL. This full-time role requires 5 years of relevant experience or a BS degree in a related field. The position offers a biweekly salary of $1,538.46 plus benefits and involves working with imperiled species. The job is not eligible for remote work or telecommuting options.
Requisition No: 848611

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 77072954

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072954

Salary: $1,538.46 biweekly + benefits

Posting Closing Date: 04/03/2025

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Position Number: 77072954

Location: 3900 Drane Field Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811

Salary: $1,538.46 bi-weekly + benefits

Supervisor: Becky Schneider

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Class Code: 5028

Region: Southwest

Class Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II

County: Polk

Working Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Work outside of a regular 8-hour schedule may occasionally be required.

Residency Requirement: None

List of Subordinates Supervised: None

Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Eligible candidates must be willing to obtain and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Minimum Qualifications: 5 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 5 years of required experience.

Preferred Requirements: A Bachelor of Science degree with a major in one of the life/physical sciences is preferred.

A complete application includes a resume or CV, three references, a cover letter for this position, and the electronic State of Florida employment application. For question regarding this position, please contact Nick Jennings at Nicholas.Jennings@MyFWC.com.

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. The Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC) is seeking a fish and wildlife professional for an exciting opportunity to benefit a diverse array of imperiled and nongame species across the Southwest Region.

This is a full-time employment position that is eligible for all career service state employee benefits including paid leave, health insurance, retirement benefits, tuition waivers for continuing education and numerous agency trainings for professional development.  https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/work_and_life/additional_benefits

This position is located in the Southwest Regional Office in Lakeland, Florida. No alternative office locations are considered at this time. Full time or partial telework is not available.

Description of Duties: The person in this position serves as the Assistant Regional Biologist in the Wildlife Diversity Conservation (WDC) Section for Florida’s 12-county Southwest Region.

This position will provide ample opportunities to implement nongame and imperiled species monitoring and conservation projects. Current focal species include Florida burrowing owls, state-threatened wading birds, imperiled beach nesting birds, brown pelicans, sandhill cranes, osprey, freshwater turtles and bats. Focal habitats include pine flatwoods and dry prairies, freshwater marsh, mangrove swamp, scrub, improved pasture, urban landscapes, lakes, coastal uplands, beaches and coastal dunes.

This position is part of a regional team to develop and conduct population survey and monitoring projects, species and habitat management projects, and coordinate other conservation activities for Species of Greatest Conservation Need across the region; Conducts management actions on important wildlife areas including activities protecting designated Critical Wildlife Areas; Works collaboratively with other agency staff members to assist with planning processes and addressing management issues; Reviews projects that may result in wildlife impacts and provides subject matter input on listed species permit applications; Provides technical assistance to the public and other agencies regarding conservation of non-game wildlife; Conducts education and outreach and gives presentations to partners, colleagues, and the public on priority conservation topics; and assists with purchasing and fleet management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The successful applicant will be self-motivated, display strong interpersonal skills, and have a commitment to natural resource conservation, customer service, and the mission of the FWC. Additionally, the applicant will demonstrate:
• Knowledge of conservation biology principles and the ability or experience to apply such, especially as it pertains to Florida’s native wildlife
• Working knowledge of native wildlife species in SW Florida
• Skills and experiences in wildlife surveys, including urban/coastal wildlife monitoring of sensitive species, wading bird surveys, and/or bat acoustic surveys
• Experience developing wildlife survey and management projects
• Proficient in word processing, information management, and data management
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including written and verbal
• Strong organizational (time management, office organization, information management), customer service, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working partnerships with other conservation agencies
• An understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, and policies
• Ability to safely operate a variety of vehicles and equipment including GPS units, hand tools, power tools, 4WD vehicles, trailers, and in-shore boats.
• Ability to conduct moderately strenuous wildlife management and monitoring activities outdoors during hot, humid, and buggy conditions, and sometimes during inclement weather

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. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. 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.