Full Time Traveling Wildlife Conservation Jobs in Tampa, FL

Requisition No: 876348 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: F&W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST III - 77072929

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072929 

Salary:  $1,730.77 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 06/11/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Position Number: 77072929

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III (Gopher Tortoise Biologist)

FTE Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,730.77 + benefits

Supervisor: Rebecca Schneider-- contact information: Rebecca.Schneider@myfwc.com or 863-648-3817

Broadband Code: 19-1023-03

Class Code:5074

Position location: Lakeland

Region: Southwest

County: Polk

Working hours: 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday

List of any subordinates supervised: 1

Residency Requirement: None

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Agency information:

Our organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

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

Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself.  The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

Minimum qualifications, A high school diploma and 6 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 6 years of required experience.

Additional requirements:

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Eligible candidates must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License. 

Preferred qualifications:

• A graduate (M.S. or higher) degree is preferred. 
• Knowledge of gopher tortoise and other wildlife survey procedures, the identification of natural communities and listed wildlife species endemic to Florida is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the Florida listed species process, permitting, and/or wildlife conservation is preferred.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge in gopher tortoise and other wildlife survey protocols
• Knowledge of Florida listed species permitting is preferred
• Ability to identify natural communities and listed wildlife species endemic to Florida is highly desirable
• Knowledge or experience on habitat management techniques that benefit terrestrial wildlife
• Ability to spend long hours outdoors, walking across uneven terrain in various climate conditions
• Ability to read and interpret aerial, habitat, soils, and land use maps
• Skill in interacting and communicating effectively with internal and outside entities, including both written and verbal communication
• Skill in presenting technical information to various audiences
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team
• Skill in using computers and relevant software, use and maintenance of equipment required
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to problem-solve and handle conflict with professionalism
• Ability to plan and prioritize work assignments, multi-task, establish and meet deadlines; possesses good time management skills
• Ability to understand and apply applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Strong customer service skills required
• Ability to occasionally travel out of town with overnight stays 

• Skill in use of Microsoft Office software, Adobe Acrobat, and ArcGIS

Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in application, resume and cover letter.

Description of Duties:

This is a full-time Career Service position that is eligible for all career service state employee benefits including paid leave, health insurance, retirement benefits, tuition waivers for continuing education, and numerous agency trainings for professional development.

This position works in the FWC’s Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section (WDC), serving as the Southwest Region’s Gopher Tortoise Conservation Biologist. The candidate selected for this position will work with a dynamic team of biologists to protect and conserve gopher tortoises throughout Florida and particularly in the 12-county Southwest Region. The selected candidate will work across FWC divisions, partners, and stakeholders to implement the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan and Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines.

This position is responsible for reviewing, evaluating and processing gopher tortoise permit applications, including drafting permits and related notices to agency standards. This is not a field-based position, though duties also include occasional work in the field conducting site visits to areas under consideration for permitting to verify gopher tortoise surveys/population estimates, evaluate habitat suitability for tortoises and other listed species, and document occurrences of other listed species. Site visits are also conducted to permitted areas to ensure compliance with state rules and guidelines. Responsibilities may include reviewing draft conservation easement documents and habitat management plans to implement permit conservation requirements and goals.

This position has the opportunity to participate in and lead team meetings, seminars, and workshops relating to wildlife resource management, as well as other professional development opportunities within and outside of the FWC. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to participate in outreach activities providing technical and educational information to conservation organizations, professional audiences, schools, and civic groups.

The person in this position works collaboratively with a regional team of species conservation biologists to improve wildlife conservation in the region. This may include assisting with or leading priority imperiled species projects, developing or enhancing partnerships with other organizations, providing technical assistance to the public and other agencies, inputting and managing data, maintaining equipment, and providing other administrative support for regional activities as necessary.

This position supervises one Assistant Gopher Tortoise Biologist and is responsible for administrating supervisory responsibilities, including work plan management, time sheet approvals, and hiring procedures.

Some overnight travel for fieldwork, meetings, or events is required.

A resume and cover letter describing your interest in this position and your relevant experience must be attached to the electronic State of Florida employment application.

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.