OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician

State of Florida•Eustis, FL

12d•$17•Onsite

About The Position

The Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRE) of the Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section is seeking an OPS Fish and Wildlife Technician to assist with enhancing aquatic habitat and maintaining projects on lakes, rivers, and wetlands to benefit fish and wildlife resources. The position will work within the Northeast and North Central Florida AHRE multidisciplinary team, and independently. The successful candidate will assist biologists with management of aquatic habitats including installation and maintenance of agricultural fences in lakes, harvesting and planting aquatic vegetation, application of prescribed fire, surveying, and conducting mechanical and chemical vegetation control (mowing, disking, roller chopping, herbicide, etc.) to manage habitats. The position may be responsible for humane capture and handling of aquatic wildlife. The position may oversee contractors to complete a variety of habitat projects and may work with volunteers and other stakeholders. The position will require frequent activities on or in water, occasionally during inclement weather. Additionally, the position will operate, maintain and repair equipment and vehicles including trucks, trailers, airboats, motorboats, ATVs/UTVs, heavy equipment and various implements (disc harrows, roller choppers, mowers, sprayers, etc.). The position may be responsible for operating heavy equipment including an excavator, skid steer, tractor, hydraulic mower, marsh master, and other miscellaneous equipment. Incumbent also must possess the ability to troubleshoot and perform minor/emergency repairs of small engines, implements, and heavy equipment. The incumbent will interact with various partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning aquatic and wetland habitat management, rules and regulations. Occasionally the incumbent will attend regional and section meetings as well as various training courses as needed. Performs other duties as assigned. The incumbent will be required to take and pass FWC’s Trailer, Airboat, vessel, boater safety, kayak/paddleboard training and all other training courses assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

A high school diploma and 1 year of post-high school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction is required.
Vocational training or an associate’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction from an accredited school or college may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Must possess and maintain a valid minimum Class E State of Florida driver’s license.
Must be able to operate vehicles, trailers, boats, airboats, kayaks/paddle boards, ATVs/UTVs, and tools.
Occasional overnight travel is required.
Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in the application, resume and cover letter.
Ability to work independently
Ability to plan and organize work assignments
Familiar with outdoor recreational activities
Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control
Basic use of personal computers
Ability to operate outdoors under inclement weather conditions
Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and other stakeholders
Ability to effectively swim and be comfortable in the water
Ability to conduct in-water tasks comfortably
Ability to work outside of normal business hours
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
Ability to operate boats, airboats, 4WD vehicles, UTVs/ATVs, kayak/paddle boards, and tow trailers
Skilled in construction activities including fencing installation/repair, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding
Ability to operate, maintain and repair heavy equipment and associated implements

Nice To Haves

Preference may be given to candidates with experience trailering and operating vessels, including airboats and outboard motorboats heavy equipment operation/transport, overseeing contractors, and previous fence installation/repair activities.

Responsibilities

Assist biologists with management of aquatic habitats including installation and maintenance of agricultural fences in lakes, harvesting and planting aquatic vegetation, application of prescribed fire, surveying, and conducting mechanical and chemical vegetation control (mowing, disking, roller chopping, herbicide, etc.) to manage habitats
Responsible for humane capture and handling of aquatic wildlife
Oversee contractors to complete a variety of habitat projects and may work with volunteers and other stakeholders
Operate, maintain and repair equipment and vehicles including trucks, trailers, airboats, motorboats, ATVs/UTVs, heavy equipment and various implements (disc harrows, roller choppers, mowers, sprayers, etc.)
Responsible for operating heavy equipment including an excavator, skid steer, tractor, hydraulic mower, marsh master, and other miscellaneous equipment
Troubleshoot and perform minor/emergency repairs of small engines, implements, and heavy equipment
Interact with various partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning aquatic and wetland habitat management, rules and regulations
Attend regional and section meetings as well as various training courses as needed
Perform other duties as assigned
Required to take and pass FWC’s Trailer, Airboat, vessel, boater safety, kayak/paddleboard training and all other training courses assigned by the supervisor