Job Description

Requisition No: 829926 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77001058

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001058 

Salary: $1,923.08 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 08/29/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator 

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

Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist IV

Working Title: Rules and Risk Assessment Coordinator

Salary: $1,923.08 biweekly + benefits

Position number: 77001058

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

Level of Education: Prefer a Bachelor’s degree in life or physical sciences.

Region: NW, Tallahassee

County: Leon

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F. Occasional overnight travel may be required. After 6 months of successful employment this position will have the potential to telework up to 2 days per week upon approval.

List of any subordinates supervised: Up to Three (3) OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III (Nonnative Risk Assessment Specialists)

Residency requirement: None

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Division: Habitat and Species Conservation

Section: Wildlife Impact Management

Sub-section: Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program

Address : 620 South Meridian Street,  Tallahassee, FL 32399

Supervisor: McKayla Spencer, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator

Minimum Qualifications: Prefer a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and at least three years of professional biological experience; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional experience; or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences.

A valid driver’s license required. 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 expressing their interest in the position.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System.

Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered .

Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV Duties:

The Division of Habitat & SPecies Conservation is comprised of two offices and six sections. The Wildlife Impact Management Section of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation (HSC) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as the section’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Rules and Risk Assessment Coordinator. The mission of the Wildlife Impact Management Section is to minimize adverse impacts of fish and wildlife on Florida’s environment, economy, and human health and safety. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for oversight of risk assessment for nonnative fish and wildlife and mitigation aspects of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program including, but not limited to, implementing a risk assessment process for species of interest, implementing risk mitigation measures, and rule development and revision. This position also oversees up to three OPS Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Risk Assessment Specialists. This position will have the opportunity to work on nonnative species policies as part of a team.

Risk Assessment

The incumbent is responsible for managing most aspects of the agency’s risk assessment process for nonnative fish and wildlife. This includes, but is not limited to the following activities:

• • Working with agency staff, external partners and researchers to develop and implement risk screening tools for the assessment of nonnative fish and wildlife;
  • Developing biological profiles and/or contracting with research entities to complete biological profiles on nonnative fish and wildlife;
  • Providing contract oversight and management for work conducted to assess the ecological risk of nonnative species, support risk screening tools or related topics;
  • Developing and implementing risk mitigation options that may include development of Memorandums of Understanding with partners and stakeholders, coordination with outreach staff, early detection and rapid response methodology;
  • Assisting in the planning and facilitation of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Technical Assistance Group on relevant issues;
  • Assisting in the development of FWC policy on nonnative fish and wildlife species and coordinating administrative rule development for nonnative species, including review of species biological profiles, conducting risk screenings, application of risk analysis, and writing rule language related to nonnative fish and wildlife;
  • Working closely and effectively with internal and external stakeholders, such as the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement’s Captive Wildlife Program, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, pet industry representatives, and other state and federal agencies while representing the FWC at workshops, meetings and appropriate conferences;
  • Serving on multiple agency teams, help lead agency teams, or serve on interagency work groups;
  • Supervising up to three OPS Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Risk Assessment Specialists;
  • Working with partner agencies and appropriate agency staff to implement any necessary training and education; and
  • Serving as a subject matter expert for nonnative fish and wildlife risk and regulations.

Developing Rules

The incumbent is responsible for assisting with the rule promulgation process and adhering to statutory timelines within the Florida Administrative Register. Duties may include developing supporting documents and websites, implementing and organizing public workshops pertaining to rule development, drafting rule language, and ensuring the proper statutory and agency procedures and policies for rule development are completed on time and as needed.

Other Duties

• The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.
• In carrying out duties of this position, the incumbent is expected at all times to be aware and abide by the Commission's standards of conduct, as well as any and all Commission rules, directives, policies, procedures, and/or general orders applicable to performing the duties of this position.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate processing and/or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors.
• Responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements for Section 215.422.F.S., related State Comptroller's rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.
• Courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems they may have in matters relating to the Commission, its programs or fish and wildlife conservation generally. Seeks to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The successful candidate possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills and is able to work well with team members and members of the public.

Other knowledge, skills and abilities required include:

• Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and techniques;
• Experience conducting risk screenings for nonnative species and developing bioprofiles for nonnative fish and wildlife;
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work climate, and able to adhere to regulatory time constraints;
• Knowledge of wildlife science and ecology;
• Familiarity with nonnative fish and wildlife species issues;
• Technical writing ability;
• Public speaking; and
• Experience working with members of the public or stakeholder representatives.

Desired qualifications include:

• The ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;
• Demonstrated working knowledge and experience in permitting, regulatory and rule development processes;
• Supervisory experience;
• Demonstrated leadership abilities;
• Ability and desire to be open-minded while working within a team of biologists to develop long-term solutions to nonnative wildlife management challenges;
• Ability to multi-task as well as work alone when needed;
• Knowledge of Florida plant/animal communities; and
• The ability to travel less than 25%.

In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, please attach a cover letter. This letter should at a minimum explain your interest in the position and the organization and identify your most relevant skills or experiences.

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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