Requisition No: 765204

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISH/WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77072811

Position Number: 77072811

Salary: $1,200.00 bi-weekly + benefits

Posting Closing Date: 03/01/2023

Position number: 77072811

Address: Fisheating Creek WMA, 1937 Banana Grove Rd. Moore Haven, FL 33471

Supervisor : Carrie Kimbrough

Starting pay rate: $1,200 biweekly + benefits

Description of duties: The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to assist with the management of Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Glades County, FL. This position serves as a full-time, Fish & Wildlife Technician on a highly productive team to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of wildlife and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors. Responsibilities include the restoration and maintenance of wildlife habitat through prescribed fire, firebreak maintenance, and mechanical and chemical vegetation control (e.g., mowing, roller chopping, herbicide application) throughout the area. The successful candidate must be field-oriented and will serve as a key member of the WMA prescribed burn team.

Additional duties include operation and maintenance of area equipment including trucks, ATV/UTVs, swamp buggies, tractors and their implements, and various small equipment (e.g., water pumps, mowers, chainsaws, weed eaters) in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations. Applicant must possess the ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment and follow manufacturer’s recommendations for periodic preventative maintenance. The successful candidate will assist with the operation of hunter check stations on the WMA to collect biological data of hunter harvested game and will assist biologists with wildlife survey efforts.

Additionally, the position will assist with the planning, development, and maintenance of projects, and facilitating public use such as minor road repairs and maintenance to parking lots, campgrounds, and various buildings. Other duties include fabricating and repairing equipment including minor motor repairs, axle maintenance, and small engine repair utilizing MIG welders, cutting torches, and other various hand and air tools, building maintenance, and fence, gate and sign construction and maintenance. The candidate will prepare and submit accurate timesheets, purchasing receipts, equipment use reports, and accomplishments. The applicant will interact with various partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management. Occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, assist on other WMAs when needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to operate, maintain, and repair equipment and associated implements.
• Ability to navigate using GPS units in the field.
• Strong organizational skills: ability to manage several assignments simultaneously.
• Ability to succeed in a fast-paced or changing environment.
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control.
• Basic use of personal computers (including Microsoft Office).
• Ability to work outdoors under harsh conditions (e.g., heat, rain, biting insects, rough terrain).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds.
• Strong work ethic in support of goals and objectives in managing the area, including good communication skills with team members, staff, and diverse public users.

Preferred qualifications: Applicants with a valid Class A CDL, S-130/S-190 wildland fire certifications, and the ability to repair equipment including minor motor repairs and small engine repairs utilizing MIG welders, cutting torches, and other various hand/air tools. Experience operating tractors within the last 5 years.

Broadband code: 19-4021-01

Class code: 5031

Region: South

Title: Fish and Wildlife Technician

County: Glades

Working hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday (early mornings, evenings and weekends as required)

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: Reside within a 25-mile radius of the Fisheating Creek WMA Field Office

Level of education: High School Diploma or GED.

Additional requirements: Incumbent must have a valid driver’s license. Must possess or obtain valid Class A Florida Commercial Driver’s License within first 270 days of employment and maintain license annually. Must complete S-130/S-190 courses within 6 months of employment. Required to hand lift at least 50 pounds to repeatedly load and offload equipment. Position is subject to random drug screening. Occasional overnight travel will be required.

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.