BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 77073289

Requisition No: 861730 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 77073289

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77073289 

Salary:  $50,000 - $53,000 annually/ $1923.07 - $2,038.46 biweekly 

Posting Closing Date: 10/08/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Division of Marine Fisheries Management

Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV – Career Service Position with Benefits

$1923.07 - $2,038.46 Biweekly, $50,000 - $53,000 Annually

2796 Overseas Highway

Marathon, FL 33050

FWC – Division of Marine Fisheries Management

Federal Fisheries Section

Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV - CS 77073289

Marathon, Florida - $50,000 - $53,000 Annually

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. Visit our website for more information: MyFWC.com.

Minimum Qualifications:

Eight years of professional experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities provided herein.

A post-secondary degree(s) in life or physical science may substitute for the required experience as follows:

• Bachelor of Science degree and four years of direct professional experience.

or

• A Master of Science degree and a minimum of three years of direct professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with a Master of Science degree and three years of professional experience.

Requirements:

• Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. 
• Working hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Some travel is required and may include weeknights, weekends and holidays.
• 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.
• Computer proficiency to include skills in Microsoft software including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position synthesizes technical coral and fisheries assessment information in support of the agency’s marine fisheries rule making process, reviews and interprets stock assessments and fisheries regulations, evaluates life history and fisheries-dependent and independent data, and develops reports and presentations on marine fishery issues.

• Supports FWC’s coral restoration efforts through coordinating and managing reports from coral practitioners in the new coral nursery, outplanting and transportation protocols, including responding to coral practitioners as needed.
• Coordinates for FWC between Monroe County, DEP, and FKNMS on Habitat Support Plan for Monroe County, including providing assistance with permitting, project development, and deployment of habitat support structures.
• Works with FWC staff to issue Special Activity Licenses for corals and works with FKNMS on permitting issues relative to corals.
• Meets with coral practitioners as needed to discuss agency coral policies.
• Participates in the rulemaking process to help the Commission build a record in support of their decisions.  Drafts supporting documents in coordination with legal staff. 
• Serves as a liaison as needed with local, state, and federal agencies on coral and marine fisheries issues.
• Assists senior staff in coordinating research projects that are relevant to coral and fisheries management decisions. 
• Works with senior staff in the development of technical papers and presentations on management of various Florida marine fisheries to guide and support the Commission’s rulemaking process. 
• Works with senior staff to coordinate with other state and federal agencies, commercial and recreational fishers, and other stakeholders to identify coral and marine fisheries management issues, develop management recommendations, and support the Commission’s management process. 
• Assists in conducting public workshops and other information gathering meetings on issues related to Florida’s coral management and marine fisheries issues
• Works with division outreach staff on upcoming regulatory changes to help suggest and prepare articles for regulation publications and regulations chart. 
• Reviews Commercial and Recreational regulations brochure prior to publication. 
• Responds to public inquiries regarding marine fisheries issues including coral in a timely manner.
• Scans the FWC DMFM web pages for errors and prepares comments for the website.
• Provides support to Section Leader, Deputy, and Division Director on special assignments as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines.  The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed. 

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible.  Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources.  Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs.  When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of general biological principles and knowledge of marine fisheries management issues and topics.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use good judgment in decision-making and planning skills.
• Ability to synthesize highly technical information for public dissemination.
• Ability to understand, evaluate, analyze and organize marine resource (especially fisheries) information into a logical format for presentation in reports, documents and other written materials and for coherent presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate and complete work assignments.
• Ability to conduct fact finding research and utilize problem solving techniques.
• Ability to review and interpret fisheries regulations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Must be willing and able to travel and work overtime hours, including some weekends, weeknights, and holidays. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft software including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Teams.

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.