F & W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 77072105

Requisition No: 881453

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: F & W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 77072105

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072105

Salary: $1,945.56 biweekly + benefits

Posting Closing Date: 08/30/2026

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Position Number: 77072105

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,923.08 + benefits

Supervisor: Maria Merrill-- for inquiries: [email protected]

Broadband Code: 19-1023-04

Class Code: 5075

Position location: 1875 E. Orange Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32311

Region: Northwest

County: Leon

Working hours: 8 to 5; M-F

List of any subordinates supervised: 0-3 staff

Residency Requirement: Tallahassee (within 25 mile radius)

Agency information: The FWC 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 is managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment. The Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and 7 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 7 years of required experience or a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional experience.

Preferred qualifications : Strong background in wildlife resource management, biological sciences and natural resource policy is preferred. Previous experience with Florida manatee management or research programs and/or the state or federal environmental regulatory programs and experience managing or leading professional working groups and/or teams is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of terminology, scientific method, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analyses or testing;

• Knowledge of the methods of data collection, particularly for imperiled or listed species;

• Skilled in effective written and verbal communication including public speaking and technical report writing;

• Skilled in administration and organization of tasks and assignments;

• Skilled MS software applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required, and Google Earth Pro, ArcGIS 10.5+, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Online, SharePoint;

• Ability to perform complex quantitative analyses of scientific data;

• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public, and stakeholders;

• Ability to work independently and on teams;

• Ability to review, evaluate, interpret and defend biological data;

• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, organized and good time management skills;

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Additional requirements : Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. A valid driver’s license and the ability to participate in periodic statewide travel is required.

Description of Duties:

This is an opportunity to join our team within the Imperiled Species Management Section’s Manatee Management Program! This position is responsible for coordinating with federal, state and county partners during review and implementation of existing County-wide Manatee Protection Plans (MPPs) and the development of new Manatee Protection Plans. This position will assist with coordinating and executing manatee management data collection efforts, analyses of available data for implementation of MPPs and setting up state-wide MPP coordination meetings with county representatives. Responsibilities will also include oversight of ISM’s Water-Control Structure and Navigational Locks program to reduce manatee deaths related to these structures. Coordination with agency representatives during manatee incident reviews as necessary and organizing the annual meeting of the Interagency Water-Control Structure Working Group will be duties of this position.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Develops county-specific Manatee Protection Plans (MPP) and boat-facility siting plans, including interpretation, review and updates to existing plans;
• Coordinates discussions for new and existing MPP development with agency leadership, federal partners, and local governments;
• Serves as subject matter expert for MPP boat-facility siting plans, provides support to other Section staff engaged in environmental permit review for boat facilities, and implements MPP analysis and discussion through project review and comment;
• Maintains record of MPP development history, slip inventory, and county-specific agreements;
• Coordinates data collection activities, conducts data analyses, and regular monitoring of available data including, budget and contract management, interpretation of data and development of recommendations for MPPs. Serves as a liaison with agency partners;
• Serves in a leading role for management and oversight of the water-control structure program, including but not limited to: partner liaison and advancement advocate, development of manatee protection measures for water-control structures and navigational locks, review and comment on structure projects and retrofits;
• Oversees coordination and communication associated with structure manatee entrapment cases including collaboration with partners, researchers, and municipalities on retrofit opportunities and tracking;
• Assists with the creation, maintenance and quality control of shapefiles, layers and geodatabases, develop maps and data summaries using ArcGIS, GoogleEarth, MS Access and MS Excel for management purposes;
• Participates in and represents the FWC at government meetings, public meetings, administrative hearings, and Commission meetings;
• Participates in habitat restoration, necropsies, and other miscellaneous field work assignments as needed; and
• Performs field and site visits related to MPP’s and water control structures as necessary;
• Assists with webpage development, outreach, and administrative duties as needed.
• Participates in the section’s stranding and salvage carcass recovery program;
• Participates other miscellaneous work assignments as needed;

How to Apply: In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First ( applicants are required to submit a current cover letter expressing their interest in the position and resume highlighting their qualifications. Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System. Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and may not be considered.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.