FISH/WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77000227

Florida; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Job summary

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Southwest Region in Charlotte County seeks a Fish and Wildlife Technician to manage wildlife habitat, apply prescribed fire, and support public use projects. The role requires manual labor, equipment operation, and collaboration with biologists in varied outdoor conditions.

The position demands a high school diploma with 1 year of related experience or an associate’s degree, and a valid Florida driver’s license with CDL within 270 days.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent; 1 year of post-high school wildlife/environmental/ecological or related experience.
• Vocational training or an associate’s degree may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license and obtain a State of Florida Class A CDL within 270 days of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Manage wildlife habitat restoration and maintenance on the WMA through prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and invasive plant control.
• Operate, maintain, and repair area equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs, and heavy equipment.
• Assist biologists with surveying and monitoring of species and with public hunt management.
• Plan, develop, and maintain projects for public use, including parking, road construction, and signage; interact professionally with the public and partners.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Work independently

Team collaboration

Outdoor work

Planning and organizing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Accredited associate’s degree in wildlife or related field

Tools

Heavy equipment maintenance

Job description

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The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISH/WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77000227

Employment is contingent upon a successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77000227

Position Title: Fish and Wildlife Technician

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,346.15 + benefits

Supervisor: Mike Bubar; for inquiries: 941-833-2555, [e-mail]

Broadband Code: 19-4021-01

Class Code:5031

Region: Southwest

County: Charlotte

Working hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00-5:00, evenings and weekends as required

List of any subordinates supervised: None.

Residency Requirement: Camping pad available on-site for short-term housing.

Agency information:

Our Organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself.The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section (WHM) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma or equivalent 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. Preferred qualifications : Strong familiarity with vehicle and equipment operation and maintenance. Familiarity with both native and invasive vegetation in central Florida. Experience with prescribed burning. Additional requirements: 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 obtain a State of Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License within 270 days of appointment and maintain license thereafter. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Incumbent be able to work well with team members and members of the public.

Other required knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Ability to operate, maintain and repair heavy equipment and associated implements
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments
• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities
• Skilled in construction activities including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management principles and practices
• Basic use of personal computers
• Ability to operate outdoors under inclement weather conditions
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 40 pounds
• Ability to work productively alone with remote supervision or as member of a team, and the flexibility to occasionally work long hours and variable schedules, such as nights, weekends, or holidays

Description of Duties:

An exciting opportunity exists for a Fish and Wildlife Technician to join a team of employees within FWC’s Wildlife and Habitat Management Section in managing a lead Wildlife Management Area (WMA). FWC’s Southwest Region is seeking a motivated applicant that is willing and able to work outdoors in a variety of conditions throughout the year in fulfillment of their job responsibilities. Responsibilities include the restoration and maintenance of wildlife habitat on the Fred C. Babcock – Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area by applying prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, and non-native invasive plant control throughout the area. The employee will also be a key member of the WMA prescribed burn team. Additional duties include operating, maintaining, and repairing area equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs, and heavy equipment in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. Incumbent also must possess the ability to troubleshoot the repairs of pumps, motors, and heavy equipment.

This position also assists biologists with surveying and monitoring of threatened and locally important species, resource inventories, and public hunt management. Assists in the planning, development, and maintenance of projects facilitating public use including parking and road construction, culvert installation, trash pickup, building maintenance, and fence, gate and sign construction and maintenance. Interacts professionally with the public and partners providing accurate information concerning wildlife, area conditions, rules and regulations. Attends regional and divisional meetings and training programs.

Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes,candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.