FISH & WILDLIFE TECHNICIAN - 77000671

About the role

The FWC’s South Region is seeking a highly motivated candidate to join a team of biologists and technicians on the Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hendry County, FL.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and associated implements.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Plan and organize work assignments.
• Identify areas of need and improvement in the work environment and come up with creative and effective solutions.
• Navigate using GPS units in the field.
• Prepare and submit accurate documents such as timesheets and equipment use reports.
• Interact with partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules, and regulations.
• Occasionally attend regional and divisional meetings, various trainings, and assist on other management areas as needed.
• Assist biologists with various land management activities including prescribed burning, installing firebreaks, and mowing, chemical and mechanical control of invasive and non-native plants.
• Perform custodial functions.
• Work as a team with other WMAs within the District or South Region to accomplish management actions such as prescribed burning and managing waterfowl hunts at the Stormwater Treatment Areas.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or GED or higher degree.
• Must obtain a State of Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License within 270 days of appointment and maintain license thereafter.
• Occasional overnight travel is required.

Qualifications

• Able to operate, maintain, and repair heavy equipment and associated implements.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to plan and organize work assignments.
• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities.
• Skilled in construction activities including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding.
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control.
• Able to identify areas of need and improvement in the work environment and come up with creative and effective solutions.
• Able to navigate using GPS units in the field.
• Basic use of personal computers (including Microsoft Office).
• Able to work outdoors under harsh conditions (e.g., heat, rain, biting insects, rough terrain).
• Able 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.

Skills

• Able to troubleshoot equipment failure issues and follow manufacturer's recommendations for periodic preventative maintenance and fabricate and repair equipment including minor motor repairs and small engine repairs utilizing welders, cutting torches, and other various hand/air tools.
• Ability to operate and maintain various equipment including trucks, ATVs, UTVs, swamp buggies, tractors and their implements, front end loaders, trailers, mowers, chainsaws, and weed eaters in accordance with manufacturer and industry recommendations.
• Ability to perform infrastructure construction, maintenance, and repair, including barbed wire fences, buildings, gates, roads, and signs, and perform custodial functions.

Benefits

• State housing is provided for this position (a 3-bedroom, 1-bath house).
• Supplemental housing allowance of $2,500 bi-annually for employees who live and work in in the following counties: Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach.

Pay

$1,346.15 biweekly + benefits

Schedule

8-5 M-F, evening and weekends as required.