FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III (Aquatic Habitat Restoration)

Description: In addition to submitting a completed State of Florida electronic application and completing the qualifying questions, applicants must attach a cover letter and up to date resume to be considered. Submitted cover letter should at a minimum explain your interest in working with the Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Subsection and identify your most relevant skills and experience.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Responsibilities: Identify, develop, coordinate, and implement wetland and aquatic habitat restoration projects that maximize benefits to fish and wildlife resources

Work independently and with partners on ephemeral wetland restoration with focus on the eastern Florida panhandle. This work will include managing contractors on an array of restoration techniques including herbicide, heavy mechanical, and light mechanical.

Removal of nuisance vegetation and organic sediments, herbicide treatment of aquatic plants, planting of beneficial wetland vegetation species and utilization of other wetland restoration techniques. 

Procure necessary state and federal permits required for project implementation. 

Develop project bid documents and contracts. 

Provide contract management of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects.

Provide contractor oversight of approved aquatic habitat enhancement projects. 

Work across FWC divisions and cooperate with other federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and others as appropriate to implement FWC’s aquatic habitat restoration program.

Participate in and provide input to internal (FWC sponsored) and external (non-FWC sponsored) aquatic resource management groups. 

Coordinate and assist in the development and implementation of wetland and aquatic habitat monitoring and sampling.

Evaluate and predict environmental response to project activities in coordination with other FWC division, office, and section personnel. 

Create and maintain databases of collected scientific data and maps of project areas using appropriate computer software. 

Prepare, publish, and present project management plans and relevant project findings through internal (quarterly/annual/completion reports and management plans) and external (peer-reviewed publications, professional and public meeting, etc.) outlets. 

Perform other project-related duties and tasks as directed by supervisor. 

Be proficient in the operation of 4X4 vehicles and maintenance of project vehicles.

Be proficient in the operation and maintenance of boats, trailers, and airboats.

Be proficient in the operation and maintenance of UTVs and ATVs.

Be proficient in the use and maintenance of field and laboratory equipment. 

Assist other AHRE, AHCR and Commission projects as necessary. 

Work independently with limited supervision. 

Responsible for timely and accurate processing and/or approval, as appropriate, of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered to avoid automatic interest penalty payments to said vendors. 

Responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements of Section 215.422, F.S., related to State Comptroller’s rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

Qualifications: Strong knowledge of freshwater ecology, habitat assessment, and management techniques

Familiarity with state and federal wetland permitting

Experience with project management, contract management, developing scopes of work, and oversight of contracted vendors

Proficient in GIS and GPS applications

Ability to operate boats, airboats, 4WD vehicles, UTVs/ATVs, and tow trailers

Experience using drones for vegetation or wildlife management

Experience or certified in the application of prescribed fire

Learn more and apply here.