Position Overview and Responsibilities:

FWC is seeking an energetic, motivated, collaborative individual with the skills to serve as the Lead Shorebird Biologist in the Central Florida Panhandle. The position engages in year-round monitoring of focal shorebird and seabird species and collaborates with partners to reduce threats to nesting birds. The position monitors breeding and nonbreeding shorebirds, manages data, creates data products, and drafts reports and presentations to inform shorebird conservation and management actions.

This position is primarily field based but will assist other Shorebird Program staff with their duties as well as expand FWC’s current capacity to address data gaps. They will collect data targeting specific information needs, lead field monitoring and other data gathering activities, work with a team to revise and develop monitoring protocols, direct and prioritize data collection and analyses, identify equipment and personnel needs, and hire and manage seasonal staff. This individual will assist in report writing and will present monitoring results to stakeholders and partners. The individual will also be responsible for logistics associated with all aspects of field operations, including regular maintenance of vehicles, vessels, and UTVs, equipment use logs, as well as coordination with partners and regular service volunteers. 

The Shorebird Biologist is part of an active network of partners including volunteers, local governments, land managers, and conservation professionals that work together to achieve monitoring and management goals for imperiled shorebirds in Florida. The Shorebird Biologist participates in meetings and serves as a key member of the panhandle shorebird program.

Position is funded by a multi-year grant (>5 years).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience monitoring shorebirds and seabirds
• Experience towing and operating vessels and UTVs
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to work both independently as well as part of a team
• Knowledge of the terminology, principles and techniques used in biological research and analysis
• Knowledge of the methods and tools for data collection, and data management
• Experience drafting technical reports and creating data products
• Experience facilitating meetings with partners and managers
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, prioritize and complete work assignments
• Ability to innovate solutions
• Ability to supervise, train, and mentor direct reports

Minimum Qualifications:

• 6 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional experience as described above; or
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.
• Experience with scientific data collection, data management, and reporting.
• Knowledge of shorebird biology and applied experience with monitoring, implementing conservation actions, and adaptive management.

Preferred Qualifications: Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:

The candidate will be the Lead Shorebird Biologist for the Central Panhandle. Preference will be given to those with experience conducting field missions, using of monitoring tools (e.g., game cameras, band resighting), vessel and UTV towing and operation, effective written and verbal communication, extensive data management experience, supervisory experience, experience creating data products and presentations, and demonstrated ability to create and maintain working relationships.

Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate. 

Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.