Florida

Here are the bare necessities to work as a Florida ‘bear response contractor’

ORLANDO, Fla. — If you’re interested in black bears and helping people avoid conflicts with them, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has the job for you.

Wildlife officials are looking to hire “bear response contractors” in a dozen Florida counties, including Lake, Marion, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties.

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The job includes helping residents and businesses avoid conflicts with bears, collecting information from and disposing of dead bears, and setting and monitoring bear traps.

Bear contractors work on an “as needed” basis, which can vary by season, area and year. FWC officials said contractors are paid per activity rather than hourly, meaning the income from contract activities would only supplement existing income sources.

READ: FWC officials share tips on how to protect Florida’s wildlife as activity increases in spring

Officials said interested individuals must: be willing to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends or holidays; use their own vehicle; have the ability to haul a small trailer; and secure their own general liability insurance, which can cost $300 to $1,000 per year.

Click here for more information on how to apply.

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.