OPS-F & W Biological Scientist III - 77902415

State of Florida•Tallahassee, FL

About The Position

This position serves within the Landowner Assistance Program (LAP) in the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation’s Office of Conservation Planning Services (OCPS). The OCPS is seeking a fish and wildlife professional to conduct monitoring of gopher tortoise easements and recipient sites. The incumbent of this position will serve on a team of biologists responsible for recipient site pre-application consultations and site visits, field verification of monitoring reports, easement site visits, and annual recipient site monitoring events. The selected candidate will be expected to inform and respond to the public, partners, and FWC staff on gopher tortoise and commensal biology, conservation, research, rules and regulations. The position requires working closely with other agency biologists who directly implement permitting actions using FWC permitting standards and providing skills and expertise on teams as needed across organizational structure. The selected candidate will also help determine listed species occurrences via the agency’s standard survey methods, as well as verify estimated population sizes and the area extent (acres) of habitat suitability and occupation. Some overnight travel will be required (~40%).

Requirements

A high school diploma and 6 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 6 years of required experience.
Ability to be well-organized and detail-oriented.
Ability to manage simultaneous projects, set priorities, and complete scheduled tasks.
Knowledge of gopher tortoise life history, habitat requirements, and management techniques.
Knowledge of Florida upland ecosystems and identification of potential gopher tortoise habitat.
Knowledge of common land management practices, including prescribed fire and forestry operations in the Southeastern US.
Skills in data management of multiple projects.
Ability to engage strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, which include effective listening and tactful presentation of information to landowners, land managers, foresters, and other staff.
Skills in providing written and oral communication of technical information with internal staff and external stakeholders.
Skills in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word), ESRI products (ArcMap, ArcPro, ArcGIS online, Field Collector), Adobe Acrobat, and collecting data with GPS units.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to interpret aerial maps displaying habitat characteristics and soils types.
Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Ability to represent agency viewpoints without inserting personal opinions.
Ability to perform routine day-travel and occasional overnight travel.
Ability to spend significant time conducting fieldwork in Florida’s weather.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in a life or physical science.
Four years of work experience in a biological or life sciences career required.
A bachelor’s degree in life or physical science can substitute for the required experience.
Knowledge of Florida landcover classification systems. (e.g., FLUCCS, FLCS)
Knowledge of the NRCS Soil Survey and Florida’s soil types.
Knowledge of flora and fauna in southeastern ecosystems.
Knowledge of upland vegetation survey techniques and management practices.
Knowledge and understanding of conservation easements and permitting processes.
Skills in conducting standardized surveys for gopher tortoises and other wildlife, specifically line transect distance sampling.
Ability to use ATVs, 4-wheel drive trucks, pull trailers, and navigate off-road conditions.

Responsibilities

Provide assistance to landowners who are interested in becoming a gopher tortoise recipient site by conducting pre-application consultations and site visits.
Assist with new recipient site applications, including the development of baseline documentation reports, conservation management plans, and understanding conservation easements.
Coordinate and conduct monitoring of enrolled recipient sites, conservation easements, and other conservation properties statewide following FWC’s policies and procedures.
Ensure all monitoring reports are received, reviewed for accuracy/completeness, and adequately stored in the easement database.
Document conservation easement non-compliance and inform landowners of required remedies.
Work with private lands biologists to provide habitat management recommendations to conservation-minded private landowners.
Provide extension services and technical assistance for landowners and land managers.
Participate and contribute to FWC outreach (e.g., in-person events, website, and other educational materials) directed toward landowners, land managers, and other interested parties.
Assist with line transect distance sampling surveys to estimate gopher tortoise populations.
Remaining informed on current and relevant science regarding gopher tortoises and commensal species and participating in meetings and workshops relating to wildlife resource management.
Additional duties as required