OPS F & W Tech - 77902272

State of Florida•Fort Myers, FL

18d•Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program is seeking a part-time technician to conduct early detection and rapid response for high-priority nonnative species in southwest Florida, with particular emphasis on surveying for and removing Burmese pythons. The work takes place on public and private lands and involves maintaining productive working relationships with the public and agency partners. The position is based in Fort Myers and includes extensive driving of state vehicles throughout the Southwest Region, especially Charlotte and Lee counties. The technician works independently and as part of a team and must be able to troubleshoot in the field. The position is part of the Wildlife Impact Management Section in the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The incumbent may also support other regional staff and perform additional duties assigned by the supervisor, Field Operations Coordinator, Program Coordinator, or Section Leader. Employees are expected to follow applicable Commission standards, rules, directives, policies, procedures, and general orders, and to assist the public courteously and proactively. The position pays $16.83 per hour for up to 24 hours per week. Work is typically three eight-hour days per week on a variable Monday–Friday schedule, with frequent nights and occasional weekends. Hours vary seasonally: typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in fall and winter and 5 p.m.–1 a.m. in spring and summer. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a criminal history background check. Applicants must submit a current resume and cover letter through the People First System; applications without both are considered incomplete.

Requirements

High school diploma and one year of post-high-school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological, or related agriculture or construction; vocational training or an associate’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited school or college may substitute year-for-year for the required experience.
Successfully complete a criminal history background check.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation.
Ability to handle wild animals, including reptiles.
Demonstrated working knowledge and experience handling and caring for captive wildlife.
Ability to work with large nonnative constrictor snakes, including assisting with care of captive educational-use constrictors.
Ability to humanely kill nonnative wildlife and train others in proper procedures.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in field conditions.
Demonstrated skill in public speaking and written and verbal communication.
Demonstrated excellent customer service skills.
Ability to communicate positively and effectively with stakeholders and coworkers.
Experience with wildlife trapping or other removal techniques.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adhere to time constraints.
Ability to drive a 4WD truck off road.
Computer experience with MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.
Ability to troubleshoot and assist the public by phone and in person.
Ability to survey for large constrictors from a vehicle or on foot for multiple hours at a time.
Ability to travel less than 25% of the time.
Reside in the Fort Myers, Florida area.

Nice To Haves

Ability to identify native and nonnative wildlife in Florida.
Knowledge of nonnative fish and wildlife issues in Florida.
Ability to multitask in a dynamic workplace and work without close supervision when needed.
Experience handling potentially dangerous wildlife.
Open-mindedness and willingness to work with a team of biologists to develop long-term solutions to nonnative wildlife management challenges.
Knowledge of nonnative reptiles in Florida.
Experience handling nonnative wildlife kept as pets and potentially dangerous wildlife.

Responsibilities

Plan survey routes and conduct surveys for nonnative wildlife, including wild Burmese pythons.
Respond rapidly to reports of nonnative wildlife.
Remove invasive and potentially dangerous wildlife using methods such as hand capture and live traps.
Humanely kill nonnative wildlife using approved methods.
Collect, enter, organize, and perform quality assurance and quality control on data about field activities in the Section’s database.
Maintain vehicle logs and submit fuel purchase receipts.
Care for captive animals used for education and training.
Respond to other human-wildlife conflict issues as needed.
Drive state vehicles throughout the Southwest Region, especially Charlotte and Lee counties, to conduct surveys.
Work independently and with a team, and troubleshoot in the field.
Attend meetings and workshops as needed.
Help supervise volunteers and interns assisting with nonnative wildlife management activities.
Serve as a crew member on FWC vessels in state waters and adjacent federal waters as needed.
Conduct other activities supporting regional HSC staff and perform other duties assigned by the supervisor, Field Operations Coordinator, Program Coordinator, or Section Leader.
Assist Commission constituents courteously and proactively with questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs, or fish and wildlife conservation.