OPS- Fish & Wildlife Technician – 77902472

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hiring an OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician for the William Beardall Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area in Christmas, FL. The role involves habitat restoration, controlling exotic vegetation, and managing wildlife. Duties include using herbicides, prescribed burning, and maintaining equipment. Candidates should have knowledge of wildlife management and be able to operate heavy machinery. The job requires physical stamina and may involve travel.
Description of duties:

The FWC’s Northeast Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join a team of biologists and technicians on the William Beardall Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Orange County, FL. This position serves as an OPS Fish and Wildlife Technician on a highly productive team of land managers to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of species and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors. The successful candidate’s primary duties will be to control exotic vegetation using herbicides and mechanical methods but also will be a key team member responsible for all aspects of management of the WMA including the application of prescribed fire. Habitat improvement is focused on imperiled and locally important species including, but not limited to, northern bobwhite, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, gopher tortoise, Bachman’s sparrow, brown-headed nuthatch, and black rail.

Additionally, the position may assist with infrastructure construction, maintenance and repair, including roads, trails, culverts, fences, gates, signs, and buildings. The position will operate, maintain, and repair various equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs, UTVs, heavy equipment, and implements (disc harrows, mowers, sprayers, etc.). The incumbent will interact with various partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules and regulations. Occasionally the incumbent will attend regional and divisional meetings as well as various trainings as needed. There may also be opportunities to assist with land management or wildlife monitoring on other WMAs throughout FWC’s Northeast Region.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Preference will be given to applicants that possess the following:
• Ability to operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and associated implements
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments
• Familiarity with outdoor recreational activities, including hunting
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control
• Familiarity with common invasive plants found in Central Florida
• 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

Level of Education:
• High School or GED

Other Requirements:
• Incumbent must be able to operate ATVs, tractors, heavy equipment, and tools.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and walk or stand for extended time periods at night or in inclement weather.
• Must have valid State of Florida driver’s license. Occasional, night, weekend, and overnight travel is required.

Benefits:

Potential to participate in Group health insurance

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 criminal history/background check. The criminal history check must be completed prior to or within the first three days of employment.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.