Gopher Tortoise Assistant Biologist

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices.This position works within the Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. This position will serve as a member of the Regional Operations program and part of FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Conservation Program. The position ensures protections for gopher tortoises are applied throughout Florida through providing customer service and technical assistance.

Qualifications:  Prefer a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences (such as wildlife conservation, natural resources management, environmental science, or a related subject, or four years direct experience.

Description of duties: The Gopher Tortoise Assistant Biologist has the opportunity to work on a dynamic team and positively affect gopher tortoise conservation throughout Florida. This is a critical role in the Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section to educate the public and conserve Florida’s only native tortoise species. This is an office-based position eligible for part-time telework and will have occasional opportunities for field work.

The individual in this position will affect gopher tortoise conservation throughout Florida through providing information and raising awareness of protections and conservation efforts.  The main function of this role is to provide the citizens of Florida with information and subject matter expertise in a timely and professional manner. The incumbent is expected to communicate about gopher tortoise laws and regulations, conservation actions, minimizing impacts, and permits. The incumbent will communicate with the public via phone, email, and occasionally in-person. The incumbent will also have the ability to engage in field work conducting site visits to areas under consideration for permitting to verify gopher tortoise surveys/population estimates, and to ensure compliance with state rules and guidelines. Duties include providing technical assistance to the public when needed for permit applications, responding to public requests for information regarding gopher tortoises, reviewing and issuing permits to address safety issues concerning burrows or existing structures, and reporting potential violations to FWC law enforcement. In addition, the incumbent is expected to work collaboratively with a team of biologists and office personnel to support the agency’s conservation mission. It is also expected that the incumbent will participate in local outreach programs, educate adults and children about gopher tortoises and wildlife conservation, and manage the distribution of educational materials. Lastly, the incumbent is expected to stay informed of current and relevant science and regulations regarding gopher tortoises and commensals; participate in team meetings, seminars, and workshops relating to wildlife resource management; make recommendation for how to improve public engagement; and attend other training opportunities within and outside the FWC. Position may require occasional overnight travel.

Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical writing skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Biological knowledge
• Data management skills, including experience with Excel
• Basic database management skills
• Ability to interpret and convey complex information to a broad audience
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to interact with displeased or contentious members of the public in a professional, tactful, and courteous manner
• Ability to manage time effectively and respond to inquiries efficiently
• Ability to problem-solve and assist the public while communicating over the phone
• Ability to positively and effectively communicate with stakeholders and coworkers

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience working in wildlife conservation
• Ability to identify native and nonnative Florida wildlife
• Knowledge of gopher tortoise biology and native habitats
• Knowledge of the Florida listed species process, permitting, and wildlife conservation
• Experience in communicating complex information to the public and responding to public inquiries
• Experience with Salesforce and SharePoint
• Field work experience

OPS Employment Description: The position is OPS (Other Personnel Services), which means that employees are paid for the number of hours they work.  OPS employees have the potential to receive health insurance benefits. OPS employees do not receive any form of paid leave, paid holidays, or participation in FRS  Florida Retirement System. 

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.