Florida FWC Seeks Public Information Specialist

Working hours: 8 am – 5 pm, 1,920 hours per year

Annual Salary Range: $22.71--$23.50 an hour (commensurate with experience)

Announcement Type: Open competitive

Benefits: Health only, no retirement

Supervisor: Judy Gillan

Description: This position conducts interpretive planning and prepares text writing for recreational management plans, websites, social media and kiosk panels focused on Florida’s wildlife management area system. The position may be involved with interpretive programming. The position is full time OPS and includes health benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. Includes some travel and occasional evening and weekend duties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Researches, writes and edits interpretive text for kiosks, web pages, social media and publications; proofreads maps, photos and other graphics in coordination with graphic artist or web designer. Supports office projects aimed at connecting target audiences with nature.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Interpretive planning as part of an agency team developing recreation master plans for wildlife management areas in Florida.
• Developing text for recreation guides, signs, web pages, social media video scripts and other interpretive products. Selecting photographs for products and identifying mapping needs. Working with area biologists, recreation planners, cartographers, graphic designers, web designers and printers to ensure high quality products that are scientifically accurate, engaging and effective.
• Writing articles for special interest magazines, agency newsletters and other publications to increase awareness of recreational opportunities on our wildlife management areas.
• Writing articles and social media posts for office wide special projects.
• Assist in tracking interpretive product workflow
• Participate in outreach such as presentations and workshops associated with office wide nature-oriented programs.
• Other duties as required

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

1. Knowledge of Florida’s natural communities and associated wildlife
2. Excellent interpretive writing ability
3. Ability to translate scientific information into popular language
4. Excellent research skills
5. Effective public speaking skills and ability to produce multi-media presentations using PowerPoint, laptop computer and projector.
6. Experience working with web designers and producing content
7. Experience in publication production
8. Highly organized, able to manage multiple projects, has strong attention to detail
9. Excellent editorial skills
10. Self-directed and able to work as an effective team member
11. Can evaluate high quality photography for use on web, print and sign products
12. Ability to interpret maps and work with cartographer
13. Proficient in use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
14. Proficient in Adobe Photoshop
15. Ability to lift or carry boxes or other items weighing up to 30 lbs
16. Must have valid Florida driver license

Preferences:

Knowledge of Florida’s natural communities and wildlife. Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. Experience creating videos and taking high quality photographs a plus.

• Ability to work independently and prioritize work.
• Ability to collaborate with others.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem solving techniques and apply critical thinking skills.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to collect, organize, evaluate and analyze data.
• Ability to design, edit and produce a variety of program materials.
• Ability to travel when required (1-25%).
  
  Minimum Qualifications:
  Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in a natural science, but degrees in environmental education, recreation, English, creative writing or journalism, with a strong interest and experience as a naturalist, will also be considered. Candidates will exceptional experience will be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
  
  Submit with Application:

• Two samples of writing, preference is for nature or interpretive writing
• An interpretive plan if you have created one previously

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.