OPS F & W Tech - 77902272

State of Florida•Fort Myers, FL

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Nonnative Fish and Wildlife Program is seeking a part-time technician in the Wildlife Impact Management Section. The position focuses on early detection and rapid response for high-priority nonnative species in southwest Florida, particularly surveying for and removing Burmese pythons. Work takes place on public and private lands and involves maintaining effective relationships with the public and partner organizations. The technician will conduct field surveys, respond to reports of nonnative wildlife, remove invasive animals using approved methods, and humanely kill nonnative wildlife when appropriate. The role also includes data management and quality control, vehicle-log and fuel-receipt administration, care of captive animals used for education and training, and response to other human-wildlife conflicts as needed. The position requires extensive driving of state vehicles across the Southwest Region, especially Charlotte and Lee counties, and work both independently and with a team. The position is based in Fort Myers, Florida, and is limited to 24 hours per week, typically three eight-hour workdays. Workdays vary Monday through Friday; frequent nights and occasional weekends are required. Hours vary by season: typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m. in fall and winter and 5 p.m.–1 a.m. in spring and summer. Travel is less than 25% of the time. Employment is contingent on a satisfactory criminal-history/background check, and the employee must maintain a valid driver’s license. Applicants must submit a State of Florida employment application, qualifying-question responses, a current resume, and a cover letter through People First. The cover letter should explain interest in the organization and position and identify relevant skills or experience; applications without both a resume and cover letter are incomplete. The State of Florida is a drug-free workplace, and employees are subject to reasonable-suspicion drug testing.

Requirements

High school diploma and one year of post-high-school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological, or related agriculture or construction work.
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 year-for-year for the required experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must successfully complete a background check; employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal-history record check.
Ability to understand biological sciences and scientific principles of wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation.
Ability to handle wild animals, including reptiles, and experience handling and caring for captive wildlife.
Ability to work with large nonnative constrictor snakes, including assisting with captive educational-use constrictors.
Ability to humanely kill nonnative wildlife and train others in proper procedures.
Ability to work effectively in field conditions and in a fast-paced environment, adhering to time constraints.
Public-speaking ability and strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong customer-service skills and ability to communicate positively and effectively with stakeholders and coworkers.
Experience with wildlife trapping or other removal techniques.
Ability to drive a 4WD truck off road.
Computer experience with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and 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.
Must meet the residency requirement of the Fort Myers, Florida area.
Must be able to work variable hours, including frequent nights and occasional weekends.

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.
Troubleshoot in the field while working independently and with a team.
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 when needed.
Conduct other activities and tasks necessary to support regional HSC staff and complete miscellaneous duties assigned by supervisors or program leadership.
Courteously assist members of the public with Commission-related questions or problems and support agency objectives and programs through positive, proactive service.
Follow Commission standards of conduct and applicable rules, directives, policies, procedures, and general orders.