Fish & WIldlife Biological Scientist III

Requisition No: 841895

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77000139

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000139

Salary: AGENCY TO UPDATE

Posting Closing Date: 12/15/2024

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Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Section: Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management - Richloam State Fish Hatchery and Florida Bass Conservation Center

Working Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000139

Salary: Anticipated salary $45,000 annual plus benefits

Location: Florida Bass Conservation Center

3583 CR 788

Webster, FL 33597  

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.

Minimum Qualifications:
 

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• 6 years of professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required.

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:
 

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a life or physical science and two years of professional experience in an aquaculture setting; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in a life or physical science, preferably in the fisheries/aquaculture sciences.

Requirements:
 

• Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.
• Typical hours are from 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework. This position requires periodic work time on weekends and evenings. Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

FWC seeks a dynamic individual to work independently and as a team member as the extensive aquaculture lead and ponds biologist at the Florida Bass Conservation Center (FBCC). Candidates should possess strong skills and documentable experience in two or more of the following fields: agriculture, aquaculture, fish culture, fisheries science/management, aquatic ecology, natural resources management, research, conservation biology, environmental science, hydrology, aquatic habitat enhancement, entomology, ichthyology, limnology, water quality, engineering, statistics, and population dynamics.

Daily activities will include planning, leading, and executing the extensive production of freshwater fishes to meet variable annual goals, including pond allocation, preparation, monitoring, and harvesting; coordination with local and regional staff will be required. The Incumbent may develop, evaluate, and communicate aquaculture methodologies to further FBCC production goals. This position has direct and indirect supervisory responsibility for 1 Sr. Fisheries Technician, 2 Fisheries Technicians, and 2 OPS Fisheries Technicians. You will plan and prepare work priorities, carry out activities, and evaluate work performance and progress toward meeting work objectives. Further, you will assist in the communication of the work conducted by the Freshwater Fisheries Management team through assisting in the preparation of regularly scheduled administrative reports, technical reports for publication based on study activities, and informal pieces for a variety of media. Participation on inter- and intra-agency teams dealing with resource management issues connected to the hatchery and stock enhancement will be expected, as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
 

• Knowledge of aquaculture and pond management
• Knowledge of freshwater aquatic plants and related management techniques
• Knowledge of aquatic habitat restoration techniques
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques relevant to aquaculture production
• Knowledge of project planning
• Skill in writing (both technical and popular articles)
• Knowledge in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Possess good customer service, telephone, and data management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to professionally explain Project, Division, and Agency programs, policies, and procedures to the public and other stakeholders
• Ability to operate independently and in teams to achieve project objectives.
• Ability and desire to work in a dynamic team environment
  Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Ability to act on changing priorities and responsibilities
• Ability to organize and file documents
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to maintain a high level of attention to detail and planning

Why should I apply?  

If you are looking to work closely with a dedicated team to carry out fish culture practices and are a self-motivated person who thinks innovatively and is passionate about fish culture and production for the benefit of conservation, this position is for you. The FBCC is located in a rural area within the beautiful Withlacoochee State Forest with numerous nearby recreational opportunities and close proximate to Brooksville and Lakeland.

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 accrued Biweekly
• Retirement Plan Options
• State University and College Tuition Waiver Program
• On the Job Trainings
• Support for family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees.
• Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons because we understand the importance of giving back to the community.

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.

WEBSTER, FL, US, 33597