OPS F&W BS III - 77900164

Location

Lakeland, FL | United States

Job description

Requisition No: 824772 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F&W BS III - 77900164

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77900164 

Salary: $21.63 an hour 

Posting Closing Date: 03/27/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Position Number: 77900164

Location: Southwest Regional Office, 3900 Drane Field Rd. Lakeland, FL 33811; Polk County; 863-648-3200

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Title: Biological Scientist III

Position Title: Predation Management Biologist

Pay Rate: $21.63/hour at 2080 hours/year

Supervisor: Regional Shorebird Biologist 77904025

Region: Southwest

County: Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas

Working Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time; Frequent work outside of these standard hours and >8-hour days is required.

List of Direct Reports Supervised:  None

Residency Requirement : None 

Level of Education : Prefer a B.S. degree in the biological sciences or equivalent career experience. 

Applicants must provide a cover letter, a resume, and three references, in addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application for the position.

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check (fingerprint-based) in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes .

Description of Position:

This is a grant-funded position established to improve the conservation status of Imperiled Beach Nesting Birds in Florida. Predation management is a key strategy to support population recovery of 5-focals species, the American oystercatcher, snowy plover, black skimmer and least tern and the Wilson’s plover. The goal of predation management is to reduce the impacts of predation on imperiled shorebird and seabird populations within priority shorebird nesting sites.

The Predation Management Biologist works closely with the Regional Shorebird Biologist, Shorebird Rooftop Nesting Biologist, Regional Species Conservation Biologist, and statewide teams to develop and implement strategic shorebird predation management activities on priority sites within Southwest Florida.

This is a 40 hour/week OPS (Other Personnel Services) position.

This position works throughout Southwest Florida and could be headquartered in (1) Ft. Myers, Lee County, (2) Port Charlotte, Charlotte County, (3) Tampa, Hillsborough County, or (4) Lakeland, Polk County.

Description of Duties:

• Within priority shorebird nesting areas, confirm sources of shorebird and seabird eggs, chicks, or adult loss by coordination with partners or on-site observations. Use tracks and other signs to identify specific individual predators responsible for predation.
• Use tracking techniques to identify and evaluate the presence and spatial use patterns of potential predators in the beach/dune habitat and surrounding natural areas.
• Conduct tracking and population assessments for common avian and mammalian predators using sand transects, scent stations, bait stations, game cameras, and point counts.
• Investigate and test the use of novel predator aversion techniques.
• Conduct lethal removal of targeted predators when necessary and/or act as the liaison between partners and USDA Wildlife Services to coordinate strategic removal of predators directly impacting shorebird eggs, chicks, or adults in priority areas.
• Record GPS points and create maps of all work areas using ArcGIS or Google Earth.
• Document and report on predation management activities.
• Assist with report writing, data summaries, and distributing findings.

The Predation Management Biologist will be responsible for communicating with private landowners, local land managers, partnering agencies, and the public about predation management in coastal habitat. This position will engage in staff and team meetings, educational events, and participate in working groups to represent predation management activities within the shorebird program.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Experience communicating with partners and stakeholders and ability to coordinate resources between agencies and among sites. Strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• Experience in project planning, management, and tracking.
• Ability to work collaboratively and incorporate novel approaches to support proactive management strategies.
• Excellent critical thinking skills for addressing complex challenges in the field.
• Experience recording data and writing reports.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (specifically PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience with a handheld GPS unit and mapping software such as GIS or Google Earth.
• Ability to work effectively with little direct supervision, in remote locations, and under hot and humid weather conditions. Ability to work various hours, including nights and weekends. Ability to lift 40 lbs.
• Ability to operate a 4x4 vehicle, have experience trailering, loading, securing, and driving a UTV on various terrains, and able to trailer, launch, retrieve and navigate an outboard motor vessel in in-shore waters preferred.
• Experience or knowledge of avian and mammal trapping, handling, and safety practices. Ability to identify wildlife species, tracks, and scat while in the field.
• Proficiency with firearms and pneumatics is highly preferred.
• Applicant must have or be able to obtain a current concealed carry permit.

Preference will be given to candidates that have experience with mammalian and avian predation management in the coastal communities in Florida. Familiarity with shorebird and seabird identification and ecology is preferred. Public speaking experience is also preferred.

This is a full-time OPS (Other Personnel Services) position. OPS employees are paid for the number of hours they work, but do not receive any form of paid leave, or paid holidays. OPS staff are eligible for health insurance benefits and participation in the Deferred Compensation investment retirement program.

Valid Florida Driver’s License

Current Concealed Carry Permit (or ability to obtain)

OPS (Other Personnel Services) positions are paid for the number of hours they work. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee.

WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory

• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory

• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.)

• Deferred Compensation - voluntary

• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

• Paid leave

• Paid holidays

• Participation in the Florida Retirement System

• Reinstatement rights or retention rights

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.

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