F & W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 77072664

State of Florida•Boynton Beach, FL

About The Position

This primarily office-based position serves as the lead for the FWC Sea Turtle Lighting team, providing expertise and guidance to reduce adverse impacts to marine turtles and their nesting habitat within the Imperiled Species Management Section’s Marine Turtle Management and Environmental Commenting Programs. This incumbent is expected to develop and maintain expertise on the effects of artificial light on coastal wildlife, maintain knowledge of available lighting technologies and apply this information to reduce impacts on marine turtles and their habitat. Position duties include review and approval of lighting plans for coastal structures; conduct post-construction inspections to ensure compliance with the approved plan; lead FWC’s Wildlife Lighting Certification program; education and outreach within and outside the agency; and varying marine turtle related projects. This position will also work directly with local governments, state agencies, property owners, Marine Turtle Permit Holders and other stakeholders in coastal communities on reducing impacts from existing coastal lighting. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: In coordination with Section and Program leadership, review current procedures and permit conditions to develop efficiencies in application review procedures and improve permit compliance while maintaining conservation objectives. Create and present educational and training workshops; and research and evaluate existing and emerging lighting technologies to maintain expertise in wildlife lighting issues; Serve as the Florida sea turtle lighting coordinator, including tracking required lighting surveys for beach nourishment projects and coordinating with local, state and federal agencies, and stakeholder groups to conserve, enhance, and protect marine turtle habitat; Draft biological opinions and provide technical comments for environmental resource permits and other regulatory or planning authorizations such as Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP), Coastal Construction Control Line permits (CCCL), Sovereign Submerged Lands Leases (SSL), Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), various management plans, comprehensive plan amendments and State Clearinghouse under Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP); Review and approve lighting plans for coastal construction projects for state authorization; participate in pre-construction meetings, pre- and post-construction inspections, and meetings with agency and property/project representatives; Provide technical assistance to other FWC Sections, as well as to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Port Authorities, county/city governments, and coastal property owners; Manage all aspects of the Wildlife Lighting Certification Program, including oversight of fixture testing, coordination with lighting manufacturers, and maintenance of certification webpages and databases; Initiate, coordinate, and participate in meetings, workshops, and professional presentations; Assists with management of the Agency’s Project Tracking System; Supervise two staff remotely; Act as Agency expert witness in administrative hearings; and Perform other duties as required, including, but not limited to: assisting with information and outreach events, assisting with, participating in the agency’s stranding and salvage program, and assisting with other field activities as directed e.g., ground truthing, hatch success evaluations, nourishment research, site inspections related to bear and panther management).

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 terminology, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analysis or management
Strong administrative, communication and computer skills, including proficiency with PowerPoint
Knowledge of data collection methods, particularly for imperiled or endangered species
Knowledge of wildlife conservation and management principles, strategies, and regulations
Ability to learn, understand, and apply highly detailed technical information
Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data and utilize problem-solving techniques
Ability to evaluate, interpret and defend decisions based on biological data
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a variety of audiences
Ability to understand and apply Florida statutes and rules as they relate to conservation issues
Ability to write technical reports and agency correspondence clearly and concisely
Ability to work independently and on teams
Ability to initiate, manage and lead meetings
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and stakeholders
Ability to speak publicly and conduct outreach to various audiences
Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines
Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and good time management skills.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
A valid driver’s license and the ability to participate in limited statewide travel is required.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with State of Florida permitting or regulatory programs, reviewing lighting plans and/or marine turtle management programs are highly desired.
Experience with ArcPro, MS Office, and MS SharePoint is preferred.
Experience supervising employees is preferred.

Responsibilities

In coordination with Section and Program leadership, review current procedures and permit conditions to develop efficiencies in application review procedures and improve permit compliance while maintaining conservation objectives.
Create and present educational and training workshops; and research and evaluate existing and emerging lighting technologies to maintain expertise in wildlife lighting issues
Serve as the Florida sea turtle lighting coordinator, including tracking required lighting surveys for beach nourishment projects and coordinating with local, state and federal agencies, and stakeholder groups to conserve, enhance, and protect marine turtle habitat
Draft biological opinions and provide technical comments for environmental resource permits and other regulatory or planning authorizations such as Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP), Coastal Construction Control Line permits (CCCL), Sovereign Submerged Lands Leases (SSL), Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), various management plans, comprehensive plan amendments and State Clearinghouse under Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP)
Review and approve lighting plans for coastal construction projects for state authorization; participate in pre-construction meetings, pre- and post-construction inspections, and meetings with agency and property/project representatives
Provide technical assistance to other FWC Sections, as well as to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Port Authorities, county/city governments, and coastal property owners
Manage all aspects of the Wildlife Lighting Certification Program, including oversight of fixture testing, coordination with lighting manufacturers, and maintenance of certification webpages and databases
Initiate, coordinate, and participate in meetings, workshops, and professional presentations
Assists with management of the Agency’s Project Tracking System
Supervise two staff remotely
Act as Agency expert witness in administrative hearings
Perform other duties as required, including, but not limited to: assisting with information and outreach events, assisting with, participating in the agency’s stranding and salvage program, and assisting with other field activities as directed e.g., ground truthing, hatch success evaluations, nourishment research, site inspections related to bear and panther management