Requisition No: 803687
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II – 77000133
Position Number: 77000133
Salary: $35,606.74
Posting Closing Date: 06/11/2023
Job Opportunity Announcement
TITLE: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II
SECTION: Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management – Southwest Region
PAY RANGE: minimum annual salary $35,606.74 maximum annual salary $39,167.41- plus benefits.
LOCATION: Tenoroc Public Use Area
3829 Tenoroc Mine Road
Lakeland, FL 33805
Polk County
CONTACT: Eric Johnson
Eric.Johnson@MyFWC.com
DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES:
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) seeks a qualified individual to work at the interface between anglers and fisheries to manage, enhance, and promote freshwater fishing opportunities in Southwest Florida’s aquatic resources. This position is part of a regional team within FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management and is located in Lakeland, Florida. The selected candidate will be primarily responsible for the management of fisheries in numerous phosphate mining created lakes on the 8,300-acre Tenoroc Public Use Area, in addition to working on other aquatic systems. This position will coordinate with regional project staff and other agency staff to help design and implement biological studies on aquatic resources, implement agency established protocols to assess sportfish populations, conduct aquatic resource management and enhancement activities, interact with agency stakeholders, compile, analyze and interpret biological data used to write technical reports. The person selected for this position will be required to regularly interact with individuals from within and outside the agency, as well as the general public.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, implement and evaluate management strategies to provide quality angling opportunities at Tenoroc Fish Management Area. Activities include sampling and analysis of physical and biological components of aquatic ecosystems; applying fishery management techniques; assist in the development and implementation of studies to evaluate effects of different strategies on aquatic communities; compilation of fisheries data on Tenoroc lakes; fish stocking; and collection of angler survey data.
- Works with Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement section as well as Invasive Plant Management personnel to design and implement habitat maintenance and improvement projects.
- Develops partnerships with federal, state and local agencies, as well as stakeholders, to accomplish aquatic resource management projects.
- Conducts outreach and promotional programs. Provides technical assistance and information to the public through presentations, publications, correspondence, and media contacts.
- Prepares educational materials such as new releases, brochures and visual aids.
- Investigate fish kills and pollution-related events on state waters.
- Data compilation, management, and analysis (including statistical analysis).
- Drafting/editing of quarterly, annual, and completion reports.
- Assists in the development and monitoring of project work plans and budgets.
- Assists with Divisional or Regional fishery management efforts.
- Operates/maintains project equipment including vehicles, boats, motors, trailers, and other field sampling equipment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of Florida’s freshwater fish, 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 freshwater fisheries sampling techniques and related gear.
- Ability to work with internal and external personnel, managers, government officials, riparian landowners, and other stakeholders.
- Must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills to work with internal and external customers.
- Ability to operate independently to achieve project objectives.
- Skilled in the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, data analysis, fish population analysis programs, etc.
- Ability to design and conduct biological studies/surveys.
- Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and in remote locations.
- Skilled in the operation of boats, outboard motors, trailers, etc.
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 candidate 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 of physical sciences 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.
- Background in fisheries science with experience in biological field sampling and the use of fisheries-related sampling equipment.
- Be willing and able to travel out of the office location area, stay overnight, work weekends and put in extended hours when necessary.
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. EST, Monday through Friday
This position requires periodic work time on weekends and evenings. Occasional overnight travel is required.
Selected candidate must pass a Level 1 background check.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement. As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.
Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly
No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance
Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year
4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrual each biweekly
For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.
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.