Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Scientist IV - 77000849

Requisition No: 860722 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77000849

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000849 

Salary:  $1,945.56 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 09/25/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

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

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77000849

 Anticipated vacancy

Location: Lake City or Tallahassee, other FWC offices considered

Salary: $1,945.56 bi-weekly + benefits

Supervisor: Natalie Montero-McAllister, Imperiled Species Policy Administrator

Broadband code: 19-1023-04

Class code: 5075

Class Title: Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

County: TBD

Working Hours: Monday – Friday 8-5, with occasional non-standard hours

List of subordinates supervised: 1 OPS Biological Scientist III

Residency requirement: Florida

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and seven years of professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the seven years of required experience.

Preferred qualifications: A Bachelor of Science degree in one of the biological sciences and three years of professional biological experience. At least one year of professional avian conservation experience and at least one year of supervisory and project leader experience in conservation programs are strongly preferred. A Master of Science degree in one of the biological sciences is strongly preferred

This is a full-time employment position that is eligible for all career service state employee benefits including paid leave, health insurance, retirement benefits, tuition waivers for continuing education and numerous agency trainings for professional development.

To apply: In addition to submitting an electronic State of Florida employment application and completing the qualifying questions, a resume and cover letter must be attached describing your interest in this position and relevant experience.

Description of Duties

This Career Service position serves as the Avian Conservation Coordinator within the Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section of the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. This is a full-time employment position that is eligible for all career service state employee benefits including paid leave, health insurance, retirement benefits, tuition waivers for continuing education, and numerous agency trainings for professional development.

As a key member of the team overseeing conservation of Florida’s species of greatest conservation need, the individual in this position has the exciting opportunity to significantly impact conservation outcomes and policy for imperiled avifauna.  The position requires passion for conservation, dedication to working with diverse stakeholders, and ability to work creatively to address conservation and policy-related challenges.

The position is responsible for coordinating avian conservation activities across the agency and with external partners.  Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating the development, revision and implementation of Species Action Plans, Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines, and other components of Florida’s Imperiled Species Management Plan;
• Leading annual prioritization of information and management needs for birds;
• Serving as a liaison between FWC work units and providing expertise on birds and policy to inform and influence conservation;
• Provide oversight on permit review and biological opinions, applying for and administering grants, and providing technical assistance internally and externally;
• Supporting the state and federal listing processes through expertise, review, and coordination;
• Collaborating with external partners and stakeholders, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NGOs, and working groups;
• Representing the agency through participating on various teams that further conservation goals for birds; including serving as the Florida Non-Game Technical Session Representative at the Atlantic Flyway Council Technical Session meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Florida’s birds, ecology, and natural communities.
• Knowledge of state and national conservation programs, collaborative governance, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Federal Endangered Species Act.
• Supervisory skills including setting clear expectations, establishing a positive work environment, and maintaining accountability. Knowledge of the principles of adaptive leadership.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in-person and virtually, both in writing and orally, to large and small groups, to persons of varying familiarity with wildlife conservation, as well as articulately and with influence.
• Ability to work independently to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments within deadlines.
• Skilled in excellent organizational management (time management, project management, information management) and problem solving.
• Able to work collaboratively with co-workers ,stakeholders, and partners to achieve desired results and foster professional relationships.
• Ability to provide clear, timely, and effective updates to colleagues and management.
• Skilled in group facilitation techniques and meeting process planning and development.
• Ability to work 40 hours a week with occasional overnight travel associated with agency mission critical guidelines. This includes travel to conferences, meetings, training and other relevant activities.

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.

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.