FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77000234

State of Florida•Starke, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

An exciting opportunity exists to serve as a Cooperative Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist, providing assistance to the Florida Forest Service, Camp Blanding, and the St. Johns River Water Management District, the lead managing agencies with the planning, development, and implementation of management programs on eight Wildlife Management Areas. The applicant should be highly motivated and willing to assist a productive team with the challenge of managing wildlife habitat and public recreational opportunities on 120,000+ acres of conservation land in Clay, Duval, and Nassau Counties.

Requirements

A high school diploma and 5 years of professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required.
Will be required to obtain and maintain a Florida Driver’s License and Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Manager Certification.
Overnight travel associated with training and meeting events will be required.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 5 years of required experience.
Prefer Bachelor of Science degree with a major in a physical or life science or a Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences.
Experience with prescribed burning is preferred.
Knowledge and experience in conducting wildlife surveys, including game and nongame species, collecting and analyzing data, and summarizing results.
Knowledge of habitat restoration techniques, fire ecology, and plant succession.
Knowledge of Florida’s natural communities and able to identify the species commonly associated with these communities, as well as identify non-native invasive species occurring in these communities.
Knowledge of silvicultural techniques used in restoration of natural communities.
Applied knowledge of chemical or mechanical control of invasive vegetation.
Ability to operate and maintain 4WD vehicles, farm tractors and implements, ATVs, and outboard motors.
Ability to work independently and in a variety of weather conditions.
Ability to work efficiently in a team of diverse people with differing backgrounds.
Ability to plan and prioritize multiple work assignments.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners.
Familiarity with common outdoor recreation activities.
Ability to write, edit, and produce scientific reports and summaries.
Ability to use hand tools, including chainsaws, power tools, auger, etc.
Knowledge of GIS software (ArcMap, ArcPro) and handheld GPS units and their applications.
Skill in use of Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Access, etc.).

Responsibilities

Assist with prescribed fire operations, nuisance animal issues, and check station operation, wildlife surveys and habitat management on the Camp Blanding and Catlett Wildlife Management areas.
Assist the St. Johns River Water Management District with administration of public recreation on the Thomas Creek-King’s Road Unit.
Provide recommendations to the lead agency and assist where possible to implement effective and cost-efficient projects that maintain or enhance wildlife habitat, such as food plots, prescribed burning, nonnative plant control, and mechanical treatments.
Implement public hunt programs, including facilitating public access, assisting hunters and other public users, and coordinating with the lead agency regarding the administration of hunting opportunities and area-specific hunting regulations.
Assist with developing bid specifications, overseeing contracts, and monitoring vendor compliance.
Assist with annual work plans, budget proposals, accomplishment reports, and other administrative tasks.
Assist with public hunting and other recreational activities, including coordination and operation of check stations.
Conduct population surveys of wildlife species using scientifically accepted techniques, including data analysis and report writing.
Survey habitat types and monitor changes that take place in vegetative communities.
Accurately and routinely submit reports of activity and accomplishments using online databases and ArcGIS.
Provide supervisor with information, recommendations, and justification for regulations governing public use on the WMA based on sound biological and sociological principles.
Provide technical assistance to individuals, organizations and other agencies regarding wildlife biology and wildlife habitat management.
Participate in seminars and workshops relating to wildlife resource management.
Respond to nuisance bear complaints, reports of road killed bears, and other wildlife issues within assigned area.
Complete other duties or assist on other areas as assigned.