Deadline: Fri, 09/06/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Florida Location Detail: Gainesville/Immokalee Job Description: Osceola Wild Turkey Crew Lead Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hiring an OPS crew lead in late October 2024 – late June 2025 (some flexibility on the start and end dates) to assist on a cooperative project with the University of Florida that is assessing the breeding chronology of Osceola wild turkeys in south and south-central Florida. The majority of fieldwork will be conducted near Immokalee with occasional travel to a second field site at Yeehaw Junction to assist the other crew. The successful applicant will assist FWC staff and 2 graduate students with various aspects of fieldwork, including but not limited to organizing and preparing trapping equipment and supplies, scouting and baiting trap sites, clearing and prepping trap sites, trapping and tagging wild turkeys, tracking and downloading radio-tagged hens, monitoring nests and broods, nest vegetation surveys, and deploying autonomous recording units (ARU). General conditions include pine flatwoods with minimal road access. Field conditions include inclement weather and multiple biting insects (mosquitos, ticks, chiggers, etc.). Qualifications: Requirements Applicants preferably should have a background in wildlife field research and are working toward or have completed a B.S. in Wildlife Biology, Forestry, or a related field. Successful candidates will be expected to have field experience with Animal trapping and handling with preference given to applicants with experience in wild turkey trapping and capture, Radio telemetry and tracking, Blood draws/bleeding birds, Deploying autonomous recording units (ARUs), Operating 4WD vehicles, ATVs, and navigation tools including GPS and maps, and Trailering experience is not necessary but is preferred. Applicants must be able to tolerate harsh environmental conditions, early mornings, and long hours. A valid U.S. driver’s license is required. Successful applicants should be comfortable working both independently and in a team. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary, as interactions with hunters, farmers, University staff and other state agency staff will regularly occur. The successful applicant will be the lead at the Immokalee field site after trapping concludes and must have good communication and organization skills. Miscellaneous: WHAT IS OPS EMPLOYMENT? Other Personal Services (OPS) temporary employer/employee relationship used solely for accomplishing short-term or intermittent tasks. OPS employees do not fill established positions and may not be assigned the duties of any vacant authorized position. OPS employees are at-will employees and are subject to actions such as pay changes, changes to work assignment and terminations at the pleasure of the agency head or designee. 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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 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. Salary: $18-20/hr Benefits: WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory Workers’ Compensation - mandatory Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with People First or the servicing Human Resource Office for details.) Deferred Compensation - voluntary Overtime pay possible WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES? Any form of paid leave Paid holidays Participation in the Florida Retirement System Reinstatement rights or retention rights Employee Assistance Program – voluntary Salary: $18-20/hr. (pre-tax). Prior to the beginning of field work the successful applicant will be based out of Gainesville, FL. Housing is provided during field season (December 2024 -June 2025) on-site in the form of a camper trailer. The applicant is responsible for housing while in Gainesville before fieldwork begins in December. Housing is provided during field season (December 2024 -June 2025) on-site in the form of a camper trailer. How to Apply: Apply here by September 6, 2024. Applications will be reviewed as received. If you have any questions, please contact Bobbi Carpenter at Bobbi.Carpenter@myfwc.com.
