OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician

OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician -

State of Florida. 1 month ago. Be among the first 25 applicants.

• Requisition No: 866613
• Agency:
  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Working Title:
  
  OPS Fish & Wildlife Technician -
• Pay Plan:
  Seasonal
• Position Number:
• Salary: $17.25 per hour
• Posting Closing Date: 02/01/2026
• Total Compensation Estimator Tool
• FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
• Fish & Wildlife Technician – OPS Position
• Various locations in central Florida (between Gainesville, Palatka, Deland, and Ocala)
• Northcentral Florida

Our Organization

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 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.

Values: Quality decisions by being dynamic, science‑informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and two years of post‑high school experience in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction.
• Vocational training or an associate’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, environmental, ecological or related agriculture or construction from an accredited school or college may substitute on a year‑for‑year basis for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife or other biological fields.
• Experience driving 4‑wheel vehicles and ATVs on unmaintained roads.
• Experience building and maintaining barbed wire hair corrals for bears or other large carnivores.
• Experience entering data by cell phone into a cloud‑based application such as Survey
  123.

Requirements

• Employment contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.
• Must have own transportation for personal time.

Position Overview and Responsibilities

• Three technicians will be hired from mid‑April to mid‑August 2026 to assist with estimating abundance and density of black bears in northcentral Florida.
• No bears will be captured or handled.
• Duties include installing barbed‑wire hair corrals, collecting bear hair samples following a strict sampling protocol, collecting bait and other supplies, entering and correcting data, and other duties as assigned.
• Technicians will build corrals in a 2‑person team but check them alone.
• A typical work week is 10 hours/day over 4 days with 3 days off; technicians may be required to work extra days as needed.
• The job is strenuous, requiring hiking off‑trail in harsh weather conditions (e.g., high temperatures and humidity) in areas with biting insects and venomous snakes.
• Field housing will be provided but food expenses will not be covered.
• Technicians will drive agency vehicles during work hours but need their own transportation for personal time.

In addition to completing the online application in People First, applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references (as a single combined file or separate attachments). Please name the file(s) starting with your last name. References should include their name, title, phone number, and email address.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail.
• Ability to lift and carry 30 lbs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and desire to work in remote areas and under adverse field conditions.
• Willingness to live in shared housing, possibly with mixed genders, provided at no cost.
• Ability to drive a 4WD truck on unimproved, sandy or wet roads; drive an ATV; load an ATV onto a utility trailer or into a truck bed using a ramp.
• Skills navigating off‑trail by handheld GPS/phone apps (e.g., Field Maps, On‑X, etc.).
• Ability to accurately check data for errors.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, including a remote supervisor.

Benefits

• Eligible OPS positions and qualifying…