RESEARCH ASSOCIATE-FWC - 77072129

Requisition No: 860820 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: RESEARCH ASSOCIATE-FWC - 77072129

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072129 

Salary:  $45,000 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/22/2025 

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FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Research Associate – Career Service Position with Benefits

$45,000 annually

Apalachicola Field Lab

Eastpoint, FL

INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY

Marine Fisheries Research/Fisheries Independent Monitoring

Research Associate – CS 77072129

Eastpoint, Florida - $45,000 annually

Internal Agency Opportunity

To be eligible for consideration, applicant must be a current CS, SES or OPS employee of the FWC.

This position will be stationed in Eastpoint, FL.

No moving expenses are provided, and the pay rate is non-negotiable.

Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications include a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the life or natural sciences with two years of relevant professional experience, or a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the life or natural sciences with one year of relevant professional experience, or a doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in one of the life or natural sciences or mathematics.

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to applicants with at least 4 years of professional experience in marine fisheries field sampling and with experience identifying Florida’s estuarine fish or with a master’s degree in a field related to fisheries science. Applicants with experience in data analysis, quality control, and report/manuscript writing may also be given preference.

Requirements:
It is a requirement to possess and maintain a valid driver license to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Florida.

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

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.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The incumbent hired for this position will be expected to conduct all aspects of the Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program with emphasis on coordinating, conducting, and leading statistically valid research surveys in estuarine and marine waters on various sized boats to evaluate relative fish stock abundance, age composition, movement, growth, and health. They will collect physical and biological data following defined procedures.

Primary duties include project implementation of various Fisheries-Independent Monitoring research projects and the associated data management, following strict QA/QC protocols, collecting data following defined procedures, leading research trips; entering, proofing, and correcting associated data, performing routine data summaries, writing summary reports for submission to team leaders, coordinators, supervisors, funding agencies, and management agencies, and training staff on proper fisheries-independent monitoring protocols.

The incumbent will be responsible for completing fish and invertebrate identifications following strict QA/QC protocols using a microscope and/or video cameras, assisting with data management and preparation of manuscripts for publication and oral presentations on monitoring results for local, state, and national meetings, assisting with proper training of new staff, and completing and training QA/QC check programs to ensure quality fisheries data are properly recorded from inshore and offshore sampling events. Responsibilities also include assisting with various research projects, participating in public outreach efforts as appropriate, and assisting other Institute programs as required. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
The chosen candidate will have the ability to identify juvenile and adult fish and invertebrates of Florida using dichotomous keys. They will have knowledge of the methods and gear used for collection of fisheries samples, estuarine ecology theories and analyses, personal computers, databases, and statistical analysis software. They must have the skill to safely operate and trailer vessels less than 26' in length. They will have the ability to perform strenuous physical activities (e.g., pull and lift heavy nets) under arduous conditions (e.g. Inclement weather, rough water, boat engine exhaust, shoreline wading), participate in multi-day research cruises (up to 14 days), collect and summarize fisheries data, prepare technical reports, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships, work both independently and on a team, work in excess of 40 hours per week, maintain a valid driver's license, and complete small boat safety course within probation period.

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.  As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.

Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly

No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year

4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrued Biweekly

Retirement Plan Options

State University and College Tuition Waiver Program

On the Job Trainings

Support for family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees.

Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons because we understand the importance of giving back to the community.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

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.

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.