Job Description

Requisition No: 841810 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77073256

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77073256 

Salary: $1,923.08 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 02/16/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

FWC Mission Statement: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Position Number : 770773256

Class Title: Fish and Wildlife Biologist IV

Position Title: Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Biologist

Broadband Level : Level 3 – Life and Physical Science

Broadband/Class Code : 19-1023-9-04/5075

Biweekly Salary : $1,923.08 bi-weekly + Benefits

Working Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday-Friday

List of Subordinates Supervised: None

City : Lakeland preferred, other locations considered

Region : Polk County preferred, other locations considered

Location: Southwest Region Office preferred; other FWC offices may be considered

Residency Requirement: No

% Travel Required: +/- 25%

Licensure, Certification or Registration Requirements: Valid Driver’s License

Supervisor: Luis Gonzalez

Desired Minimum Requirements:

A Bachelor’s degree in biology, wildlife or fisheries management, zoology, environmental sciences or other closely related curriculum, graduate degree and two years of professional experience preferred. Candidates must have experience writing and reviewing technical documents, must have experience with imperiled species or their habitats, and should be familiar with land use or wildlife permits. Successful candidates will have experience collaborating with entities of varying interests and be able to capably manage conflict with excellent communication skills. Above all, the successful applicant will be enthusiastic, self-motivated, organized, and have a commitment to natural resource conservation and excellence in customer service.

In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, please attach a resume and cover letter . This letter should at minimum explain your interest in the specific position and identify your most relevant skills and experiences. For questions regarding this position, please contact Luis Gonzalez at luis.gonzalez@myfwc.com , or by phone at (941) 661-1918.

Description of Duties:

The Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Biologist has the opportunity to work on a dynamic team and positively affect gopher tortoise conservation throughout Florida. The position is located within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, in the Office of Conservation Planning Services. The position is a critical member of FWC’s gopher tortoise conservation program, working to conserve Florida’s only native tortoise and is responsible for gopher tortoise recipient site conservation through compliance monitoring of gopher tortoise recipient sites and easements. This is an office-based position with significant field work opportunities.

The main functions of this position will be to conduct recipient site pre-application consultations and site visits, field verification of monitoring reports, and annual recipient site monitoring events. The Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Biologist will be responsible for providing assistance to public and private land managers before they submit an application to enroll as recipient sites. This position will review area management plans, work with Land Conservation and Planning (LCP) staff on easement and title review, work with Landowner Assistance Program staff on assessing vegetative conditions and providing habitat management recommendation.

The selected candidate will be expected to inform and respond to the public, partners, and FWC staff on gopher tortoise and commensal biology, conservation, and rules/regulations. The position requires working closely with other biologists, who serve as a liaison between other partners andFWC on the establishment of recipient sites and who implement permitting actions using FWC permitting standards. The selected candidate will also help determine gopher tortoise occurrences via the agency’s standard survey methods, as well as verify estimated population sizes and the area extent (acres) of habitat suitability and occupation .

The selected candidate will work across FWC divisions and with other federal, state, regional, and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others as appropriate to implement the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan. They will as sist and collaborate with regional and statewide staff and provide technical assistance to individuals, organizations, and other government agencies regarding wildlife and habitat management including gopher tortoise conservation. This position will stay informed of current and relevant science and regulations regarding gopher tortoises and commensals; participate in team meetings, seminars, outreach events, and workshops relating to wildlife resource management; and attend other training opportunities within and outside the FWC . P osition may require occasional overnight travel and working outside of normal business hours.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Well-organized, detail-oriented, able to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, and able to set priorities and complete tasks on schedule.
• Knowledge of gopher tortoise life history, management practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of Florida's upland ecosystems and management of these ecosystems, with emphasis on the needs of the gopher tortoise and its management.
• Strong data management skills, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS, ArcPro, Adobe Acrobat, and GPS Units.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills that include the ability to represent agency viewpoints without personal conflicts, as well as the ability to listen and effectively and tactfully present information to and communicate with landowners, land managers, foresters, and other staff.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to work with internal and external customers; ability to present technical information to various audiences.
• Ability to read and interpret aerial imagery, habitat layers, and soils maps.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to travel and spend significant time outdoors in Florida’s climate conditions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Preferred):

• Knowledge of Florida landcover classification systems (e.g., FLUCCS, FLCS) and ability to interpret land cover, soils, and survey maps.
• Knowledge of gopher tortoise and upland vegetation survey techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of southeastern ecosystems flora and fauna.
• Knowledge of and ability to identify invasive and exotic plants.
• Knowledge and understanding of conservation easements, permitting, and a willingness to expand personal knowledge of the topic.
• Skills and experience conducting standardized surveys for gopher tortoises and other wildlife (line transect distance sampling experience preferred).
• Ability to use ATVs, 4-wheel drive trucks, trailering, and handle off-road conditions.

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. 

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