OPS FISH/WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77900195

The State of Florida is hiring an OPS Fish/Wildlife Technician for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Lake Placid, FL. This temporary position involves outdoor work in habitat restoration, prescribed burns, and equipment maintenance. Responsibilities include assisting biologists with species monitoring and public use projects. The role requires the ability to operate heavy equipment and interact with the public. The pay is $18.23 per hour.
Requisition No: 845923

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS FISH/WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77900195

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77900195

Salary: $18.23 an hour

Posting Closing Date: 05/04/2025

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position number: 77900195

Title: OPS FIsh & Wildlife Technician

Address: Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area, 1630 Royce Ranch Ave., Lake Placid, FL 33852

Phone: (863) 699-3937

Supervisor: Vacant

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.

Description of duties: THIS IS AN OPS POSITION. IT IS NOT CAREER SERVICE.

The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. An exciting opportunity exists for a Fish and Wildlife Technician to join a team of employees within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section in managing the Lake Wales Ridge WEA. FWC’s Southwest Region is seeking a motivated applicant that is willing and able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions throughout the year in fulfillment of their job responsibilities. Responsibilities include the restoration and maintenance of wildlife habitat by applying prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and non-native invasive plant control throughout the area. The employee will also be a key member of the WMA prescribed burn team. Additional duties include operating game check stations, operating, maintaining and repairing area equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs, and heavy equipment in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. Incumbent also must possess the ability, or willingness to learn how to troubleshoot the repairs of pumps, motors and heavy equipment.

This position also assists biologists with surveying and monitoring of threatened and locally important species, resource inventories, and public hunt management. Assists in the planning, development and maintenance of projects facilitating public use including parking and road construction, culvert installation, trash pickup, building maintenance and fence, gate and sign construction and maintenance. Interacts professionally with the public and partners providing accurate information concerning wildlife, area conditions, rules and regulations. Attends regional and divisional meetings and training programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability, or willingness to learn how to operate, maintain and repair heavy equipment and associated implements
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments
• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities
• Skilled in construction activities including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management principles and practices
• Basic use of personal computers
• Ability to operate outdoors under inclement weather conditions
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 40 pounds
• Ability to work productively alone with remote supervision or as member of a team, and the flexibility to occasionally work long hours and variable schedules, such as nights, weekends, or holidays.

Preferred Qualifications: Strong familiarity with vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance. Familiarity with both native and invasive vegetation in Central Florida. Experience with prescribed burning.

Starting pay rate: $18.23/ hr.

Broadband code: 19-4021-01

Class code: 5031

Region: Southwest

Title: Fish and Wildlife Technician

County: Highlands

City: Lake Placid

Facility: Lake Wales Ridge WEA Field Office

Working hours: 8am – 5pm; maximum allowable hours per fiscal year: 1,920

List of any subordinates supervised: N/A

Residency requirement: Required to reside within 25 miles of the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area Field Office

Level of Education- High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Minimum Qualifications: A highschool diploma and two years of post high school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction is required. Vocational training or an Associate’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction from an acreddited school or college may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Benefits: Potential to Participate in Group health insurance

Additional Requirements – Must possess or obtain valid Class A Florida Commercial Driver’s License within first 270 days of employment. Position subject to random drug screening. Hiring contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employee allowed to work a maximum of 1,920 hours per fiscal year (to be prorated based upon hiring date). Occasional overnight travel required.

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.