OPS Assistant Research Scientist (FGTF) - 77907434

Requisition No: 863819 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Assistant Research Scientist (FGTF) - 77907434

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77907434 

Salary:  $30 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 11/11/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Section 

Assistant Research Scientist – OPS Position

$30 per hour but may be negotiable

South Florida Regional Laboratory

2796 Overseas Hwy

Marathon, FL

 Fish & Wildlife Research Institute – Coral Research Program

Assistant Research Scientist - OPS 77907434

Marathon, Florida - $30 per hour

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

Requirements:

To be considered for this position a Cover Letter and Resume MUST be attached to your PeopleFirst Application.  Incomplete applications 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. 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 a team leader for the FWRI Coral Research Program at the South Florida Regional Laboratory (SFRL) in Marathon, FL.  Provide organizational, programmatic and logistical oversight for conducting the long-term monitoring programs and coral research projects conducted by the FWRI. Visit the program’s website at https://myfwc.com/research/habitat/coral/.  Serve as a co-PI on awarded projects focused on Endangered species monitoring and restoration and support other Coral Program projects as needed. 

Position Responsibilities include:

Serve as the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) Coral Program leader at the South Florida Regional Lab in Marathon, Florida. Directly support Coral Program Principal Investigators in overseeing the execution of plans, goals and objectives tied to the completion of long-term monitoring and coral research projects conducted by the FWRI Coral Program.  Assist with coordination and completion of field activities for the Coral Reef Evaluation & Monitoring Project (CREMP), Disturbance Response Monitoring (DRM), and targeted endangered and threatened corals species monitoring throughout Florida’s Coral Reef.  Facilitate and organize the completion of administrative, programmatic, and logistical tasks to ensure all the operational components (e.g., service and maintenance of SCUBA gear, sampling equipment, or vehicles, vessels, and trailers) are in good standing. 

For grants related to endangered and threatened coral species monitoring and restoration, serve as the lead scientist and oversee award administration and project implementation. Coordinate in situ demographic surveys and coral outplanting activities at long-term monitoring sites and oversee the development and deployment of protocols to ensure collection and entry of project data is completed in a satisfactory manner by team members. Complete statistical analyses of project data and create summary tables and graphics for annual reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Write and co-author project proposals, progress and comprehensive reports, and publications of peer-reviewed manuscripts.  Prepare and make oral presentations at scientific meetings, stakeholder workshops, and professional conferences. Continue or create new cooperative working relationships within FWRI and external organizations, agencies, and partners to expand the research and restoration of endangered and threatened coral species. Help design and implement new studies that enhance coral restoration success. Assist with the organization and dissemination of project data to make datasets publicly accessible and fulfill reporting deliverables to agencies.

Conduct in situ demographic surveys of scleractinians, octocorals, and sponges for FWC long-term coral monitoring programs.  Participate in data collection that follow demographic protocols or use underwater photography/videography. Participate in and assist with training exercises to carry out field surveys. Identify coral, octocoral, sponge and other selected taxa in situ or from photographic images of underwater transects using point count software. Assist in mobilizing and demobilizing for all field operations. Supervise OPS support staff that are responsible for assisting with data collection and organization of data collected for multiple coral research projects.  Duties include but are not limited to: recruitment, training, planning and directing work, mentoring and reviewing performance with employees, approving timesheets, and ensuring compliance with Commission and FWRI rules, policies, and procedures 

Safely operate FWRI 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, coral nursery assistance, and coral spawning. Perform other duties as needed to meet the work objectives of the coral reef research group and the Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Section including public outreach and education efforts and interaction with the FWC Commission when needed.  When necessary, 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. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge in: Coral reef taxonomy and systematics; Coral reef ecology and biology; Principles of marine experimental design and research; Collection of coral and benthic data survey techniques; Multi-variate statistics and statistical software programs; Principles of SCUBA diving and diving safety; Microsoft programs including Excel, Word, Teams

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

Ability to: Write and communicate effectively; Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner; Process information logically and plan, prepare and implement projects; 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 junior staff/personnel; Identify reef organisms, in particular benthic invertebrates and Scleractinia; Participate in strenuous monitoring or research activities that require swimming or SCUBA diving; 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 and maintain mixed gas (NITROX) certification

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may 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. .

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

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan

On the Job Trainings

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

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.