OPS F&W Biological Scientist III - 77902245

Requisition No: 882087

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS F&W Biological Scientist III - 77902245

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77902245

Salary: $23.44 an hour

Posting Closing Date: 09/13/2026

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Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number:: 77902245

Position Title: OPS Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist III

OPS Rate of Pay: $23.44 an hour + benefits (not to exceed 1,920 contract hours per fiscal year)

Supervisor: Elizabeth Clark, Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Education and Outreach Coordinator; for inquiries, Elizabeth.Clark@myFWC.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Position location:Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 6224 NW 43rd St. Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32653

Region: North Central

County: Alachua

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8-5, M-F, occasional nights and weekends and overnight travel required.

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: None

Agency information: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Our organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where native 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.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife Impact Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 6 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 6 years of required experience.

Additional requirements: A valid Florida driver's license is required once employee begins work. In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First, applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume highlighting their qualifications and expressing their interest in the position (applications without a cover letter and resume will not be considered).

Preferred qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation;
• Extensive experience with public speaking and creation of presentations;
• Experience handling fish and wildlife, including herpetological species;
• Demonstrated skill in excellent customer service;
• Ability to multi-task and work independently in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints and deadlines;
• Ability to review and edit documents and presentations to agency standards;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with public or stakeholder representatives;
• Ability to generate ideas for public engagement and develop those into action items;
• Ability to evaluate program operations, troubleshoot issues and develop solutions to improve efficiency;
• Experience working with the public or stakeholder representatives;
• Ability to troubleshoot and assist the public while communicating over the phone;
• Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers;
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing for various audiences;
• Computer experience (MS Word, Excel, Outlook PowerPoint, Adobe).
• Familiarity with Florida's nonnative species issues and the state and federal laws governing wildlife, particularly nonnative species;
• Ability to identify native and nonnative fish and wildlife;
• Ability to properly and safely handle nonnative fish and wildlife;
• Familiarity with document accessibility using Adobe Acrobat Pro;
• Ability to travel up to 25%. Periods of the year may require more extensive travel.

Description of Duties:

The Wildlife Impact Management Section is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to coordinate the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program and assist with education and outreach initiatives related to nonnative fish and wildlife. Primary duties will include facilitating the rehoming of nonnative fish and wildlife kept as pets in Florida through the FWC's Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, tracking rehoming requests and adoption reports in the database, answering calls and emails from the Invasive Species Hotline and email account, and organizing 1-3 rehoming day events around the state per year. This position will assist with various nonnative fish and wildlife outreach and education programs such as the Python Patrol Program, designing, purchasing, and distributing outreach materials, creating print and digital educational materials on emerging nonnative fish and wildlife topics, attending outreach events, updating the website, and conducting other outreach projects in coordination with the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Education and Outreach Coordinator.

Primary duties will include:

• Leading the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program by:

• Ensuring Exotic Pet Amnesty Program owner and adopter data are uploaded and summarized in a timely manner.

• Coordinating and booking cargo flights for nonnative pets rehomed with out-of-state adopters;

• Streamlining and improving operations and efficiencies of the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program by managing the program database;

• Soliciting new program adopters through targeted campaigns and coordinated events;

• Developing outreach materials specific to the program and events;

• Developing, planning and coordinating details for rehoming day events;

• Writing and editing reports and newsletter articles about the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program in a timely manner.

• Conducting projects designed to further the agency's nonnative fish and wildlife education programs;

• Assisting in the development of the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program's annual report;

• Assisting the creation and maintenance of physical and digital educational materials including content for social media, newsletters, event flyers, posters, websites, etc., using PowerPoint, Canva or similar platforms;

• Preparing educational and outreach activities, workshops and trainings pertaining to nonnative fish and wildlife issues;

• Providing public presentations on the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program and other Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program topics;

• Answering verbal and written questions from the public regarding nonnative fish and wildlife management;

• Assisting the Education and Outreach Biologists with:

• Additional website updates beyond the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program;

• Conducting Python Patrol trainings in virtual and in-person formats.

• Assisting staff with nonnative animal husbandry as needed;

• Assisting agency staff as needed;

• Other duties as assigned.

Additional duties will include:

• Assisting the Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program with the following:
• Ensuring documents, photos, and web content are compliant with The Americans with Disabilities Act standards; Organizing and maintaining NFWP digital file storage.
• Conducting independent projects designed to further the agency's Wildlife Impact Management (WIM) education programs;
• Assisting with other needs of the WIM Section as needed;
• Conduct other activities and tasks as necessary to support other HSC staff in the region;

The incumbent is also responsible for other miscellaneous duties as assigned by supervisor.

This position will include occasionally driving throughout Florida to attend or host events, festivals, meetings, workshops and to engage with partners. The incumbent must be able to work independently and effectively communicate with a variety of audiences.

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.