FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77072833

State of Florida•TALLAHASSEE, FL

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Public Hunting Areas (PHA) Biologist is a Career Service position responsible for developing rules and related publications and coordinating with cooperators and stakeholders regarding public hunting and other public uses on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs) and Public Small Game Hunting Areas (PSGHAs). This particular position serves within the Commission’s Northwest Region and coordinates closely with the Regional Wildlife Biologist and other regional staff to administer public hunting and public use programs in the region. The incumbent: Coordinates the process for securing input from staff and cooperators regarding public hunting and other public uses on WMAs, WEAs, and PSGHAs. Compiles input and works with regional staff to resolve problems and develop rule change proposals as needed. Works with the Regional Director to develop rule change proposals submitted by the public. Coordinates with staff across all FWC Divisions, Offices, and Institutes (DOIs) to develop communication strategies to provide information that will effectively promote hunting opportunities, increase participation in hunting programs and activities, and improve awareness and acceptance of hunting rules and regulations. Coordinates with cooperators, hunters, and other stakeholders to facilitate open communication, implement new hunting opportunities, and resolve problems associated with public hunting and other rules on WMAs, WEAs, and PSGHAs. Coordinates with regional staff to conduct workshops and other meetings with cooperators, organized stakeholder groups, and the general public as needed to address hunting-related issues. Provides customer service to answer questions from the public regarding hunting regulations and public-access rules for lands in the WMA System. Is responsible for developing hunting-related publications including brochures and maps for WMAs and other public hunting areas. Coordinates the review and editing of other hunting-related documents and web pages such as regional access for Alternative Mobility and Special Use-Vehicle Permits, quota and special-opportunity hunt applications, and the statewide hunting regulations handbook. Drafts executive orders (EOs) to establish WMAs, WEAs, and PSGHAs into the WMA System and amends EOs to modify existing areas. Develops other EOs to establish rules for PSGHAs and Operation Outdoor Freedom hunts on WMAs and WEAs. Works with other PHA biologists to amend the EO that establishes quota hunts and permit numbers. Coordinates with administrative staff to develop and maintain contracts, leases, and cooperative agreements that facilitate hunting programs on public hunting areas in the Northwest Region. Serves as a member of the Regional Leadership Team and the review committee for issuing Special Use-Other permits in the Northwest Region. Performs other related work as assigned. The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs, or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view. Commission employees are responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Comptroller’s rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures. Work at FWC is cross-functional, meaning duties may cross division or office lines. The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

Requirements

A high school diploma and seven 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 seven years of required experience.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
Ability to work and make appropriate decisions independently.
Ability to analyze complex issues and develop innovative, efficacious solutions.
Skills and knowledge of Geographic Information Systems sufficient to maintain and update basic property maps.
Ability to determine work priorities, elicit cooperation as needed to achieve objectives, and ensure proper and timely completion of program duties.
Ability to understand, comply with, and apply rules, policies, and procedures applicable to the conduct of a Commission employee.
Knowledge of correct English composition, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability to use computer word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software.

Responsibilities

Develops rules and related publications and coordinates with cooperators and stakeholders regarding public hunting and other public uses on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Wildlife and Environmental Areas (WEAs) and Public Small Game Hunting Areas (PSGHAs).
Coordinates the process for securing input from staff and cooperators regarding public hunting and other public uses on WMAs, WEAs, and PSGHAs.
Compiles input and works with regional staff to resolve problems and develop rule change proposals as needed.
Works with the Regional Director to develop rule change proposals submitted by the public.
Coordinates with staff across all FWC Divisions, Offices, and Institutes (DOIs) to develop communication strategies to provide information that will effectively promote hunting opportunities, increase participation in hunting programs and activities, and improve awareness and acceptance of hunting rules and regulations.
Coordinates with cooperators, hunters, and other stakeholders to facilitate open communication, implement new hunting opportunities, and resolve problems associated with public hunting and other rules on WMAs, WEAs, and PSGHAs.
Conducts workshops and other meetings with cooperators, organized stakeholder groups, and the general public as needed to address hunting-related issues.
Provides customer service to answer questions from the public regarding hunting regulations and public-access rules for lands in the WMA System.
Develops hunting-related publications including brochures and maps for WMAs and other public hunting areas.
Coordinates the review and editing of other hunting-related documents and web pages such as regional access for Alternative Mobility and Special Use-Vehicle Permits, quota and special-opportunity hunt applications, and the statewide hunting regulations handbook.
Drafts executive orders (EOs) to establish WMAs, WEAs, and PSGHAs into the WMA System and amends EOs to modify existing areas.
Develops other EOs to establish rules for PSGHAs and Operation Outdoor Freedom hunts on WMAs and WEAs.
Works with other PHA biologists to amend the EO that establishes quota hunts and permit numbers.
Coordinates with administrative staff to develop and maintain contracts, leases, and cooperative agreements that facilitate hunting programs on public hunting areas in the Northwest Region.
Serves as a member of the Regional Leadership Team and the review committee for issuing Special Use-Other permits in the Northwest Region.
Performs other related work as assigned.