ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 77072584

Requisition No: 869749 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 77072584

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072584 

Salary:  $64,000 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 02/27/2026 

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FWC Fish & Wildlife Research Institute

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Associate Research Scientist – Career Service Position with Benefits

$2,461.54 Biweekly, $64,000 Annually

2796 Overseas Hwy Suite 119

Marathon, FL 33050

 Fish & Wildlife Research Institute

Associate Research Scientist – CS 77072584

Marathon, Florida - $64,000 Annually

Pending Vacancy

Our organization:

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: 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

8 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 major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and four years of professional experience in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics;

or a master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and three years of professional experience as described above;

or a doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics and one year of professional experience as described above can substitute for the required experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:

A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the marine biological sciences and four years of professional experience related to the position responsibilities and duties.

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional experience.

Preference may also be given to candidates that have demonstrated experience developing, leading and implementing coral research and/or monitoring projects and a publication record of peer-reviewed manuscripts.   

Requirements:
A cover letter and CV/Resume must be submitted with your People First application. Applications missing a cover letter and/or CV/Resume will not be considered.

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. This position is stationed in Marathon, FL and is 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.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Position Overview:

Serve as the team lead for Fish and Wildlife Research Institute coral restoration science operations based out of the South Florida Regional Lab in Marathon, Florida. The role combines hands-on scientific research, data analysis, reporting, and technical leadership with stakeholder outreach and support of managers to ensure coral restoration efforts follow best management practices and advance FWRI’s research and conservation objectives.

Please note: FWRI is currently advertising 2 coral FTE positions based in Marathon: Associate Research Scientist #779072584 (this posting) and Assistant Research Scientist #779072941.

Responsibilities and duties will include:

Lead the implementation of coral restoration science along Florida’s Coral Reef in collaboration closely with FWRI Principal Investigators in the Coral Program and the Restoration Ecology Program. Develop, implement, and oversee scientific protocols to ensure accurate, consistent collection and entry of project data.

Oversee and participate in field and laboratory data collection, ensuring activities align with each project’s experimental design. Lead and participate in training exercises to carry out field surveys and data collection. Identify coral, octocoral, sponge and other selected taxa in the field or from photographic images of underwater transects. Assist with the mobilization and demobilization of field operations.

Complete statistical analyses of project data and creation of summary tables and graphics used for annual reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Write and co-author proposals, progress and comprehensive reports, and publications of peer-reviewed manuscripts. Prepare and make oral presentations at scientific meetings, stakeholder workshops, and professional conferences.

Serve as a coral subject matter expert on review panels and provide technical guidance to other governmental, academic, and private groups for emerging coral reef issues and policies.

Continue or create new cooperative working relationships within FWRI, with other divisions of FWC, and with external organizations, agencies, and partners to expand the research objectives of the agency and to ensure coral restoration efforts adhere to best management practices.

Safely operate agency vehicles and vessels to complete research activities and maintain proficiency as FWRI/AAUS scientific diver. Assist with other coral projects as directed which may include responding to vessel groundings, oil spills, coral mortality events, in-water and land-based coral nursery maintenance/monitoring assistance, and coral spawning. Promote and participate in South Florida Regional Lab and FWRI public efforts.

Supervise FTE and/or OPS coral staff responsible for assisting with coral research and monitoring projects. Duties include but are not limited to: recruitment, training, planning and directing work, mentoring and reviewing performance with employee, approving timesheets, and ensuring compliance with Commission and FWRI rules, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge in: Coral reef taxonomy and systematics; Coral reef ecology and biology; Principles of marine experimental design and research; Coral collection, transport practices; Benthic data survey techniques; Multi-variate statistics and statistical software programs; Data management practices and software; Principles of SCUBA diving and diving safety; Supervisory principles, practices and procedures.  

Skill in: Synthesizing information from large datasets; Writing scientifically for technical reports and authoring or co-authoring manuscripts; Developing and conducting statistical analyses; Designing and implementing hypothesis driven research studies; Managing small and large teams to produce effective outcomes and accomplish project goals; SCUBA diving and underwater navigation; Vessel operation.

Ability to: Write and communicate effectively; Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner; Process information logically and plan, prepare and implement projects; Collect and analyze data and prepare technical reports and manuscripts; Independently coordinate work assignments; Work as a team member to accomplish project goals and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external personnel; Effectively supervise and mentor/train staff/personnel; Identify reef organisms, in particular benthic invertebrates and Scleractinia; Perform strenuous field duties that require swimming or SCUBA diving in potentially adverse conditions; Swim with sufficient skill to save one’s self in an emergency; Participate in research expeditions that require extended travel and long work hours; Meet and/or maintain the American Academy of Underwater Sciences scientific diver standards, obtain mixed gas (NITROX) certification; Maintain and safely operate boats, trailers and related equipment; Meet and/or maintain FWC safe boating practices/certifications and safely trailer and operate vessels less than 28’ in length.

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.