OPS-F&W Biological Scientist III - 77905065 Job Details | State of Florida

This primarily office-based position serves as a member of the FWC Sea Turtle Lighting team, providing expertise and guidance to reduce adverse impacts to marine turtles and their nesting habitat within the Imperiled Species Management Section’s Marine Turtle Management and Environmental Commenting Programs. Team members are expected to develop and maintain expertise in the impacts of artificial light on coastal wildlife and in lighting technologies available to reduce impacts.

Primary duties of this position include: reviewing exterior lighting plans for coastal structures, participating in FWC's Wildlife Lighting Program Certification Team and providing outreach about lighting to people within and outside of agency. This position will also work directly with local governments, state agencies, property owners, Marine Turtle Permit Holders and other stakeholders in coastal communities on reducing impacts from existing coastal lighting.

Specific responsibilities of the position include:

• Review, evaluate, and approve lighting plans for coastal construction for state authorizations; participate in pre­ construction meetings, pre- and post-construction inspections and meetings with agency and property/project representatives;
• Develop and improve the agency's light management recommendations; create and present educational and training workshops for internal and external audiences;
• Research and evaluate existing and emerging lighting technologies to maintain expertise in wildlife lighting issues; 
• Provide technical assistance to other FWC Sections, as well as to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Port Authorities, and county/city governments;
• Participate in all aspects of the Wildlife Lighting Certification Program, including wildlife lighting certification program fixture testing, coordination with lighting manufacturers, and maintenance of certification webpages and databases;
• Initiate, manage or attend meetings, workshops, and create/deliver presentations;
• Assist with management of the Agency's Project Tracking System;
• Draft biological opinions for permits and other regulatory or planning authorizations such as Environmental Resource Permitting {ERP), Coastal Construction Control Line permits (CCCL), Sovereign Submerged Lands Leases (SSL), Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), various management plans, comprehensive plan amendments and State Clearinghouse under Coastal Zone Management Program
• (CZMP);
• Assist with Section information and outreach projects;
• Assist with field activities (e.g., marine turtle stranding, ground truthing, hatch success evaluations, nourishment research).
• Perform other duties as directed