Pending Reclass To Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist Iii- Outreach Specialist

Requisition No: 825669

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: Pending Reclass to Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III- Outreach Specialist

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000635

Salary: $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits

Posting Closing Date: 04/07/2024

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

Position Number: 77000635

Location: Eustis, FL

Phone: (850) 688-0852

Supervisor: Donald Fox

In addition to submitting a completed State of Florida electronic application and completing the qualifying questions, applicants must attach a cover letter, up to date resume, and writing sample. The submitted cover letter should, at a minimum, explain your interest in working in aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement and identify your most relevant skills and experience. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Description of position:

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This positon is in the Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Section.

The Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Subsection (AHRE) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to serve as an Outreach Specialist. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic and self-motivated to complete quality work on time and demonstrate strong communication abilities to develop and carry out projects with minimal supervision and as an effective team member to the Subsection.

Description of responsibilities and duties:

Primary duties will include independently developing and implementing various outreach and education initiatives including presenting to the public at outreach festivals and special events both in person and virtually, including youth programming opportunities, coordinating Ask FWC, What's Happening on My Lake, and records requests, AHRE technical reporting, and assisting aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement project operations and monitoring. This position will also serve as a liaison with HSC Communications.

This position will be responsible for developing and updating internal and external website content, coordinating and responding to information and records requests, managing GovDelivery accounts, and scheduling and reporting AHRE aquatic plant management operations through Plant Management Authorization Reporting System (PMARS).

This position will include extensive driving throughout Florida to attend or host events, festivals, meetings, workshops and support aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement projects, with occasional weekend work hours. Must be able to work independently and have an ability to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences.

Additional duties will include:

• Identifying outreach needs and priorities and developing innovative approaches to engage the public and reach new audiences focused on aquatic habitat restoration/enhancement.

• Coordinating, editing, and overseeing the preparation and updates of educational information including regular review and updates of printed materials, digital media, and websites.

• Overseeing the development of the AHRE annual report.

• Collaborating on timely outreach needs with regional staff for emerging issues.

• Overseeing and maintaining inventory for printed and digital materials and outreach supplies.

• Assisting staff with developing internal and external public meetings, training, or workshops.

• Operation of 4x4 vehicles, trailers, boats, airboats, and ATVs to access remote habitat enhancement project field sites.

• Operation of drones to collect images of vegetation or wildlife management on publicly owned land or water.

• Maintain project vehicles, boats, and field and laboratory equipment in working condition.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

This position is responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements of Section 215.422, F.S., related to State Comptroller's rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible. Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources. Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs. When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view.

Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines. The Commission expects employees to function across FWC's organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Professional experience working in outreach and communication.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing for various audiences.

• Ability to review and edit documents and presentations to agency standards.

• Experience with public speaking, including presenting information to large audiences.

• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong critical thinking, and the ability to coordinate multiple projects at one time.

• Knowledge of the biological sciences and scientific principles of freshwater aquatic biology, ecology, and conservation.

• Ability to assist freshwater habitat restoration projects and spend long hours in or on the water in various weather conditions.

• Familiarity with software programs including but not limited to design software, Adobe pro, and Microsoft 365 apps including Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Ability to multi-task and work independently, work well in a fast-paced work environment, and adhere to time constraints.

• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and complete work assignments and projects according to established deadlines.

Desired qualifications include:

• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate events.

• Demonstrated experience with print media and in web content creation and management;

• The ability to travel overnight for several days at a time.

• Ability to write grants to support educational events and secure outreach materials.

Licensure/registration/certification requirements: State of FL driver's license required. Obtain Federal Aviation Administration Remote Pilot Certificate, boating safety, and basic First/Aid CPR certificates within six months of employment.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Broadband Code:19-1023-03

Class Code 5074

Region: Northeast

Title Pending Reclassification to Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III-77000635

Working Title - Outreach Specialist)

County: TBD, prefer Central Florida

Office Location: TBD, prefer Central Florida

Working Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 5 PM (Hours may vary with workload and may require work on weekends and non-traditional hours.) After 6 months of successful employment this position will have the potential to telework up to two days per week upon approval.

Residency Requirement: none

Subordinates Supervised: None

Level of Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in one of the biological sciences with three years of biological experience in a field or laboratory program to include professional experience working in outreach and communication preferred. Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional experience to include professional experience working in outreach and communication preferred.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Orlando