FISH & WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77000671

State of Florida•Clewiston, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join a team of biologists and technicians on the Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hendry County, FL. This position serves as a full-time, field-oriented Fish & Wildlife Technician on a team to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of wildlife and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors. This position will work as part of a team to accomplish projects across the original Dinner Island Ranch property (21,714 acres) and the newly acquired Caracara Unit (17,251 acres). This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of various equipment including trucks, ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, tractors and their implements, front end loaders, trailers, mowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. The incumbent must be able to troubleshoot equipment failure issues and follow manufacturer's recommendations for periodic preventative maintenance and fabricate and repair equipment including minor motor repairs and small engine repairs utilizing welders, cutting torches, and other various hand/air tools. Additionally, this position is responsible for infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair, including barbed wire fences, buildings, gates, roads, and signs, and performing custodial functions. The incumbent will assist biologists with various land management activities including prescribed burning, installing firebreaks, and mowing, chemical and mechanical control of invasive and non-native plants. The incumbent will prepare and submit accurate documents such as timesheets and equipment use reports. The incumbent will interact with partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules, and regulations. The position will regularly work independently in the field. This position will also work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning and managing waterfowl hunts at the Stormwater Treatment Areas. The successful candidate must occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, and assist on other management areas as needed. About the WMA: Dinner Island Ranch WMA is in the heart of old South Florida between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. This WMA is home to a variety of wildlife including white-tailed deer, Florida panther, Florida black bear, bobcat, and American alligator. The habitat is composed of freshwater marshes, mesic hammocks, cypress dome swamps, pine flatwoods, and pasture. Hydrological improvements are underway to improve sheet flow and help restore degraded native habitats. Prescribed burning and invasive nonnative plant control are two of the primary tools used to manage and improve the property for wildlife. There is also an active cattle lease on the WMA. State housing is provided for this position (a 3-bedroom, 1-bath house).

Requirements

A High School Diploma or GED or higher degree.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Must obtain a State of Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License within 270 days of appointment and maintain license thereafter.
Occasional overnight travel is required.
Able to operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and associated implements.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to plan and organize work assignments.
Skilled in construction activities including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding.
Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control.
Ability to identify areas of need and improvement in the work environment and come up with creative and effective solutions.
Ability to navigate using GPS units in the field.
Basic use of personal computers (including Microsoft Office).
Ability to work outdoors under harsh conditions (e.g., heat, rain, biting insects, rough terrain).
Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds.
Strong work ethic in support of goals and objectives in managing the area, including good communication skills with team members, staff, and diverse public users.

Nice To Haves

Applicants with a valid Class A CDL and S-130/S-190 wildland fire certifications preferred.
Familiar with outdoor recreational activities.

Responsibilities

Operate, maintain, and repair various equipment including trucks, ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, tractors and their implements, front end loaders, trailers, mowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters.
Troubleshoot equipment failure issues and follow manufacturer's recommendations for periodic preventative maintenance.
Fabricate and repair equipment including minor motor repairs and small engine repairs utilizing welders, cutting torches, and other various hand/air tools.
Perform infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair, including barbed wire fences, buildings, gates, roads, and signs.
Perform custodial functions.
Assist biologists with various land management activities including prescribed burning, installing firebreaks, and mowing.
Perform chemical and mechanical control of invasive and non-native plants.
Prepare and submit accurate documents such as timesheets and equipment use reports.
Interact with partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules, and regulations.
Work independently in the field.
Work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning and managing waterfowl hunts at the Stormwater Treatment Areas.
Occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, and assist on other management areas as needed.