BIOLOGICAL ADMINISTRATOR I - SES - 77000240

State of Florida • OKEECHOBEE, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section (AHCR) is seeking a habitat restoration project leader to manage and enhance Florida’s habitats for the benefit of fish and wildlife resources across south Florida. This position serves as a project leader within a multidisciplinary team for landscape-scale resource management and restoration/enhancement of public lands and waters of south Florida. The role involves coordinating and supervising staff in various aspects of habitat restoration, including identification, development, and implementation of projects, procurement of permits, development of bid documents and contracts, and contract management. The position also requires cooperation with other agencies and organizations, development and oversight of monitoring and sampling, interaction with the public, preparation of project management plans and findings, and supervision of subordinate staff.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and seven years of 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 seven years of experience.
• Knowledge of principles of aquatic ecology and fish and wildlife habitat management.
• Knowledge of GIS and GPS and its application to habitat management and surveys.
• Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
• Proficient in the operation of 4X4 vehicles, ATV’s, swamp buggies and maintenance of project vehicles.
• Proficient in the operation of boats, trailers, and airboats and maintenance of boats, trailers, and airboats.
• Proficient in the use of field equipment and maintenance of field equipment.
• Proficient in fish and wildlife habitat restoration and plant management techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and other stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task.
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, with limited supervision.
• Ability to work outdoors under harsh weather conditions.
• Ability to effectively swim and be comfortable in the water.
• Ability to conduct in-water/underwater work for extended periods of time.
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours as necessary.
• Knowledge of basic management principles and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise staff and manage teams.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to operational and management analysis activities.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project leader within a multidisciplinary team for landscape-scale resource management and restoration/enhancement of public lands and waters of south Florida.
• Coordinate and supervise staff in the identification, development, and implementation of habitat restoration projects that maximize benefits to fish and wildlife resources, including removal of nuisance aquatic vegetation and organic sediments, herbicide treatment of plants, planting of beneficial vegetation species, hydrologic restoration, and utilization of other habitat restoration techniques.
• Coordinate and supervise staff in the procurement of necessary state and federal permits required for project implementation.
• Develop project bid documents and contracts.
• Ensure staff provide contract management and contractor oversight of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.
• Work across FWC divisions and cooperate with other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others as appropriate to implement FWC’s aquatic habitat restoration program, including participating in and providing input to internal (FWC sponsored) and external (non-FWC sponsored) aquatic resource management groups.
• Coordinate and supervise staff in the development and oversight of wetland and aquatic habitat monitoring and sampling to evaluate and predict environmental response to project activities in coordination with other FWC division, office and section personnel.
• Interact professionally with the public and partners providing technical expertise on aquatic habitat management.
• Prepare, publish and present and coordinate with staff in the preparation of project management plans and relevant project findings through internal (quarterly/annual/completion reports and management plans) and external (peer-reviewed publications, professional and public meeting, etc.) outlets.
• Supervise five Biological Scientist III positions.
• Prioritize work assignments of subordinate biologists and review and approve all forms, reports and publications produced by subordinates.
• Perform other project-related duties and tasks as directed by supervisor.
• Assist other Section and Commission work as necessary.
• Ensure staff provide timely and accurate processing and 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.

Benefits

• supplemental housing allowance of $2,500 bi-annually for FTE employees who live and work in in the following counties: Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED