OPS- Fish & Wildlife Technician - 77904092

State of Florida•Gainesville, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management is hiring an OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician to conduct angler surveys at Rodman Reservoir in Marion/Putnam County, Florida. The position runs from December 2026 through May 2027 and pays $15.00 per hour. The technician interviews anglers about their catches and harvests of freshwater fish and accurately records detailed survey data while operating a boat independently and safely. FWC trucks, trailers, and motorboats must be operated only for agency business and in a safe, law-abiding manner. Surveys may take place in hot, cold, windy, or rainy weather when conditions are not dangerous. Shifts are assigned by random selection and include weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Each survey lasts three hours before daylight saving time and four hours afterward. Shift times range from 7:30–10:30 a.m. to 4:00–8:00 p.m. The average schedule is three shifts per week, though weekly shifts may range from one to five; the full schedule is provided at the beginning of employment. Applicants must submit a completed state application through People First, a current résumé, and a cover letter describing their qualifications and interest. The selected employee must possess a boater safety education identification card or be willing and able to obtain one before the first day of fieldwork.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old.
Must have a valid State of Florida driver’s license.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Must have a high school diploma and two years of post-high-school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological, or related agriculture or construction. Vocational training or an associate’s degree in a related field from an accredited school or college may substitute year for year for the required experience.
Must know common freshwater fishes.
Must be proficient in safely and independently operating a boat and outboard motor, launching and retrieving, maneuvering, holding position close to other boats, towing a trailer, and backing down a boat ramp.
Must possess a valid boater safety education identification card before operating an agency vessel; the selected employee must already have the card or be willing and able to obtain it before the first day of fieldwork.
Ability to understand and follow technical instructions relating to freshwater fisheries and aquatic habitat sampling and evaluation.
Ability to communicate effectively with the public.
Ability to work in inclement weather.
Ability to enter data using standard software.
Attention to detail.
Must submit a completed state application through People First, a current résumé, and a cover letter highlighting qualifications and interest.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating motorboats and trailering.
Coursework in fisheries, wildlife, ecology, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Interview anglers at Rodman Reservoir using specified questions about catches and harvests of freshwater fish species.
Accurately record detailed survey data while operating a boat independently and safely.
Operate FWC trucks, trailers, and motorboats for agency business in a safe and law-abiding manner.
Conduct surveys in varied weather conditions when conditions are not dangerous.
Enter data using standard software and follow technical instructions relating to freshwater fisheries and aquatic habitat sampling and evaluation.

Benefits

Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may receive comprehensive health coverage with low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions.
Health premiums listed as $25 for single coverage and $90 for family coverage biweekly.
Low-cost $25,000 life insurance.
OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan.
On-the-job training.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

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