Fish/Wildlife Technician
Salary: $1,057.02 bi-weekly + benefits
Posting Closing Date: 10/01/2021
Description of duties: This position works within a team of one lead area biologist, two biologist IIs, and one other wildlife technician to manage wildlife populations and their habitats on Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area. Incumbent operates and maintains heavy equipment used to complete management projects on the area. Responsible for maintenance, diagnosis of problems and repairs of equipment including bulldozer, front-end loader, dump truck, farm tractors, mowers, trucks, trailers, ATVs, outboard motors, chainsaws and construction equipment. Assists with the development and maintenance of area improvements such as informational signs, kiosks, check station, roads, parking areas, trails, fences, gates, water control structures, equipment storage facilities and offices. Maintenance activities require experience and skills in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, painting and welding. Conducts habitat management activities which include the use of specialized mechanical equipment for clearing and chopping dense vegetation, controlled burning, groundcover restoration, preparation and planting wildlife forage plants, and chemical or mechanical control of invasive pest plants. Conducts wildlife surveys for game, nongame and imperiled species including red-cockaded woodpecker monitoring. Monitors vegetation response to habitat manipulations. Assists with management of public hunts, monitoring public use through traffic counters, and collecting biological data from hunter harvested animals including deer Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) specimens. Performs routine administrative responsibilities such as submitting biweekly timesheets, vehicular operation cost records, monthly progress reports, preparing purchase order requests and coding invoices to proper accounts. Assists other wildlife management areas as directed and provides technical assistance to individuals, organizations, and other government agencies regarding wildlife and habitat management including nuisance bear abatement. Participates in regional and divisional coordination meetings or training programs. Completes other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
▪ Knowledge and experience in electrical, carpentry, plumbing, welding, and painting
▪ Knowledge and experience in conducting wildlife surveys with an emphasis on nongame species
▪ Knowledge and experience with the application of prescribed fire
▪ Knowledge and experience with chemical or mechanical control of invasive exotic vegetation
▪ Knowledge of GPS (Global Positioning Systems)
▪ Ability to operate, maintain, diagnose, and repair heavy equipment, tractors, farm implements, ATVs, and outboard motors
▪ Ability to work independently and in a variety of weather conditions
▪ Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task
▪ Ability to deal effectively with customers
▪ Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal customers
Working hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, may require some night, early morning, or weekend duty and occasional overnight travel
Residency requirement: Florida, must reside within a 25-mile radius of Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area.
Level of Education: High School Diploma, GED or greater
License Requirements: Must possess or obtain valid Class A Florida Commercial Driver’s License within first 180 days of employment. Position subject to random drug screening.
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.