Live In Ranch Jobs in Melbourne, FL (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 878703 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77001161

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77001161 

Salary:  $1,576.92 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 07/19/2026 

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Pending Vacancy

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77001161

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist II

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,576.92 + benefits

Supervisor: Jared Draxler, for inquiries, (phone and or email): 407-498-0991

Broadband Code: 19-1023-02

Class Code: 5028

Position location: Triple N Ranch Wildlife Management Area, St. Cloud, Florida

Region: Northeast

County: Osceola

Working hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday; early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed

List of any subordinates supervised: None

Residency Requirement: Required to live within a 25-mile radius of the entrance to the Triple N Ranch or Bull Creek WMA

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.

The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Wildlife and Habitat Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.  

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and 5 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 5 years of required experience.

Additional requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid, minimum Class E State of Florida driver's license. Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check. The criminal history check must be completed within the first three days of employment. Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in the application, resume and cover letter.

Preferred qualifications: A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field and experience with land management techniques and wildlife surveys. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles of ecology and wildlife management
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to plan and organize work assignments
• Familiar with outdoor recreational activities
• Skilled in the use of GIS
• Knowledge of wildlife and land management practices, such as prescribed burning and herbicide use for vegetation control
• Ability to identify common and imperiled wildlife species
• Ability to operate outdoors under inclement weather conditions
• Ability to write technical reports
• Ability to frequently push, pull and/or carry more than 50 pounds

Description of Duties:

An exciting opportunity exists for an entry-level Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist to join a team of biologists and technicians on the Triple N Ranch and Herky Huffman Bull Creek Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in Osceola County, FL. This position serves as a Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II on a highly productive team of land managers to restore and enhance habitats for the benefit of a variety of species and for the enjoyment of Florida residents and visitors. The successful candidate will be a key team member responsible for all aspects of management of the WMAs including application of ~12,000 acres of prescribed fire annually and mechanical and chemical vegetation control (mowing, roller chopping, herbicide, etc.) to manage habitats. Habitat improvement is focused on imperiled and locally important species including, but not limited to, red-cockaded woodpecker, northern bobwhite, white-tailed deer, and wild turkey.

Additionally, the position will assist with a variety of wildlife surveys for both game and non-game species including red-cockaded woodpecker, northern bobwhite, white-tailed deer, and Bachman sparrow. This position assists the Lead Area biologist in all aspects of running the WMAs including purchasing, annual reports, data entry, GIS, and harvest reports. The successful candidate will assist with the operation of hunter check stations to collect biological data of hunter harvested game. The incumbent will interact with various partner agencies and the public to provide information concerning wildlife and area management, rules and regulations. Occasionally the incumbent will attend regional and divisional meetings as well as various trainings as needed.

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.