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Requisition No: 880621
Agency: Environmental Protection
Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II - 37002293
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 37002293
Salary: $3,083.33 monthly
Posting Closing Date: 08/13/2026
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BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST II- 37002293
State of Florida
Department of Environmental Protection
Job Vacancy
Open Competitive
This position is located in Lake Wales, Florida
Closing date: 08.13.2026
Position Overview and Responsibilities:
You will be working with a proven winning team that has one of the most diverse job descriptions in the country. An opportunity is available for a self-motivated, hard-working individual with strong resource management, visitor services, protection, and maintenance experience to fill a Biological Scientist II position at Lake Kissimmee State Park located in Lake Wales.
The Lake Kissimmee Team also manages Catfish Creek Preserve State Park (total of over 14,000 acres) and duties include everything from normal park ranger tasks, assisting other parks and agencies, living history interpretation, Wildland fire management, disaster recovery teams, and heavy equipment to managing herds of cracker cattle and horses.
Duties and Responsibilities:
This position provides biological, resource management, interpretive, and environmental analysis support for multiple units within the Florida Park System.
Conduct biological research projects and analyze biological communities and other physical features. Plan, recommend, and monitor resource management projects, including prescribed burning and wildfire management, exotic species removal, reforestation, plant community restoration, erosion control, pest species control and native wildlife management. Prepare and update at least every five years relevant portions of management plans. Consult with park manager and planners on the effects of design and development on park resources. Advise on the preservation, restoration and appearance of historical and archaeological sites. Recommend native trees and shrubs for landscape projects. Conducts flora and fauna survey and coordinate biological monitoring. Utilizes state vehicles in performance of duties.
Gather scientific and professional reports and other information through field observations and studies about natural history. Gather professional reports and other information through interviews and library investigations about cultural history. Assembles this information into interpretive talks, brochures, exhibit copy, tour spiels and other forms of interpretation communication. Provide interpretive programs to the public through guided walks, campfire programs, speeches, TV and radio presentations. Provide assistance to rangers involved in interpretations in the form of slides, written material, and the design of interpretative facilities. Provide quality photographs for exhibits, programs, and publications.
Investigates and report on all pending development and other projects which may threaten the natural and cultural resources of the park such highways, dams, drainage, pesticide application and dredging. Attend public hearing on these projects to present the Division's official statement. Participate in the resource management audit program.
Conduct training sessions for park personnel, students, resource management specialist and laymen in the techniques of resource management and natural history topics. Participate at Ranger Academy.
Maintain an office to include correspondence files, slide files and reference library, specification writing, monthly reports and miscellaneous correspondence, maintain A-V equipment, camera, vehicle and office equipment as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: plant taxonomy; Florida's pyric communities and management needs; prescribed fire applications and techniques; research design and applications as they relate to ecosystems management.
Skill in: use of computers and ancillary devices.
Ability to: conduct field research, data gathering and resource health assessment; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; work well with others; develop and maintain files on research, monitoring, and other activities; make management recommendations and prepare pertinent portions of park management plan revisions; assemble and maintain species inventories to assess the health of ecosystems and constituent changes; operate an airboat.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid drivers' license
• Successfully complete required pack test

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES FOR THE POSITION:

• A bachelor's or graduate degree in biological sciences with 1 year of professional experience.
• Burn Boss Certification

Passing of moderate pack test must be completed prior to employment, and annually thereafter complete light pack test. Prior to being hired, applicants will be given a single opportunity to take and successfully complete a supervised moderate pack test at a date and location to be announced. The pack test requires applicant to complete a two-mile walk while carrying 25 pounds in under 30 minutes.
Pay:
Base salary: $3,083.33 monthly/ $37,000.00 annually
Our Organization and Mission:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state's lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida's position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state's economy. DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.
Where You Will Work:
Lake Kissimmee State Park
14248 Camp Mack Road
Lake Wales, Florida 33898
Florida's heritage comes alive with living history demonstrations of the early Florida cow hunters in an 1876-era cow camp.
Visitors enjoy boating, canoeing and fishing in the picturesque lakes. Nature students can hike over 13 miles of trails to observe and study the abundant plant and animal life.
Six miles of trails are open to equestrians. A large, shaded picnic area with pavilions is available. The park has full-facility campsites as well as a primitive camping facility.
The youth camping area can accommodate up to 50 people. The dark skies make stargazing a popular nighttime activity for campers.
The park is located off State Road 60, 15 miles east of Lake Wales.
Click on the link to preview this beautiful park: https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/parks-and-trails/lake-kissimmee-state-park
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).
• Tuition waivers.
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com
Special Notes:
DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:
HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us
HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov
An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the DEP Human Resources (HR) Office at (850) 245-2511. DEP requests applicants notify HR in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
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.
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