Type: Full-time, On-site
Location: Orlando, FL
Salary: $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits
Deadline: 10/1/2024
Preference will be given to candidates that have hands on prescribed burn experience and candidates that are Florida Certified Prescribed Burn Managers.
The FWC’s Northeast Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate for an exciting and challenging opportunity to lead management on the Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) in Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida. Split Oak Forest WEA, located just outside of metropolitan Orlando in an increasingly urbanized region, serves as an important link in the Florida wildlife corridor as an area where visitors can experience the natural landscape of central Florida and observe many of the native plant and wildlife species. This position serves as the Lead Area Biologist responsible for habitat management on over 1,650 acres of natural communities including scrubby, mesic, and wet flatwoods, basin marsh, and hammocks to benefit non-game and imperiled wildlife and plant species including the gopher tortoise, gopher frog, Bachman’s sparrow, and wild turkey. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and implementing habitat management and restoration activities including the application of prescribed fire on approximately 450 acres per year as well as conducting various mechanical and chemical treatments, and invasive species management. The incumbent will also assist with management on various other WMAs in the NE region.
Incumbent is responsible for all aspects of running the WEA including the assisting with periodic revision of the management plan; infrastructure management, development and maintenance as required by area management plans; wildlife monitoring and data entry; managing public access; reporting; purchasing; and budget management; and GIS. The incumbent will interact professionally with the public and partners, including other state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations to provide information concerning wildlife, area management, and rules and regulations. Occasionally the incumbent will be required to travel to attend regional and divisional meetings as well as various trainings as needed.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Incumbent must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and leadership skills, be able to work well with team members and interact positively with stakeholders and cooperators.
Other knowledge, skills and abilities include:
Knowledge of principles of ecology and wildlife management
Knowledge of the common and imperiled species of Florida
Knowledge of the principles of fire ecology and experience with the application of prescribed fire
Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices including mechanical and chemical vegetation control
Knowledge and experience in supervising multiple team members
Knowledge of outdoor recreational activities including hunting and fishing
Ability to work as part of a team and independently
Experience conducting wildlife surveys and summarizing biological data
Knowledge of and experience in ArcGIS and GPS and its application to land management and surveys
Proficient with Windows and Microsoft Office applications
Ability to identify common and imperiled wildlife species
Ability to operate outdoors under harsh weather conditions
Ability to write technical reports
Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments and multi-task
Ability to operate vehicles, ATVs, trailers and heavy equipment
