Requisition No: 788202

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISH/WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77072756

Position Number: 77072756

Salary: $1,200.00 bi-weekly + benefits

Posting Closing Date: 12/15/2022

Position number: 77072756

Address: 11835 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road West Palm Beach, FL 33412

Supervisor: Danielle Devine

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 J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Palm Beach 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 the application of 8,000 acres of prescribed fire annually, firebreak maintenance, and mechanical and chemical vegetation control (e.g., mowing, roller chopping, herbicide). Habitat improvement is focused on imperiled and locally important species including red-cockaded woodpecker, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey. The successful candidate will assist with the operation of hunter check stations on the WMA to collect biological data of hunter harvested game.

Additionally, the position will assist with infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair, including roads, trails, culverts, fences, gates, signs, and buildings. The position will operate, maintain, and repair area equipment and vehicles including trucks, tractors, ATVs, heavy equipment, and various implements (e.g., disc harrows, mowers, sprayers) and follow manufacturer’s recommendations for preventative regular maintenance. Incumbent must possess the ability to troubleshoot and repair small engines. The incumbent will interact with 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, various trainings, or will assist on other WMAs as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and associated implements.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments.
• Skilled in construction activities such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding.
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control.
• Ability to navigate using GPS units in the field.
• 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 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.

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

Broadband code: 19-4021-01

Class code: 5031

Region: South

Title: Fish and Wildlife Technician

County: Palm Beach

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

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency requirement: Reside within a 25-mile radius of the Corbett WMA Field Office. Employee

housing option (RV pad with hookups) may be available at the Corbett 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.

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.