ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072682

Requisition No: 860469 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072682

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072682 

Salary:  $52,000 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/01/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC-FWRI Marine Mammal Section

Assistant Research Scientist – Career Service Position with Benefits

$2,000.00 Biweekly, $52,000 Annually

4020 S HIGHWAY A1A

Melbourne Beach, FL

 Marine Mammal Section

Assistant Research Scientist - CS 77072682

Melbourne Beach, Florida - $52,000 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.

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:
Experience leading safe and efficient manatee captures and live marine mammal transports.

Experience leading high quality marine mammal necropsies and collect the necessary samples and data to determine cause of strand/death.

Experience with necropsy report writing and editing.

Experience with State of Florida purchasing policies and procedures.

FWC boat operator certification.

FWC trailer certification.

Requirements:

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.  Serves in local on-call status on occasional weekend days and holidays and serves in statewide on-call status between 5pm and 8 am Friday through Thursday in a weekly rotation with other FWRI field staff. 

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:

Provides leadership, direction, and support for manatee responses within the east central sector (coastal and inland waterways of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, Seminole, Lake, and Marion Counties) of Florida.  Assures all field station stranding responses are conducted in a timely, professional, and courteous manner.  Assures field station adherence to the manatee carcass recovery and necropsy quota protocol and provides guidance and support for staff which includes response coordination, carcass recovery and necropsy selection, carcass transport and disposal plans.  Leads in conducting consistent, high-quality necropsies on manatees to determine cause of death and to collect samples per protocols. Prepares necropsy and rescue reports, evaluating scientific information for accuracy. Responsible for collection of tissue and skeletal material, as requested, as well as photographs of carcasses. Responsible for proper disposal of carcasses. Transports carcasses to central necropsy facility in a timeframe that maximizes forensic investigations, biological sampling, and cause of death determination while adhering to safe operations including the FWRI safe trailering guidelines.  In conjunction with manatee rescue coordinator, leads manatee rescue operations in east central region including open water captures, effective communications, vessel operation, and may lead with the transport of stranded manatees to the appropriate oceanaria. Leads or assists with manatee rescue and capture operations away from designated area as needed. Participates cooperatively in response to manatee emergencies as needed. Adheres to FWC rules and policies. Able to organize work to meet deadlines and demonstrates cooperation in working with others. Acquires and maintains marine mammal section trailering certification.

Responsible for the supervision of assigned personnel. Duties include but are not limited to: recruitment, training, planning, directing and reviewing work, evaluating performance of assigned employees and ensuring compliance with FWRI rules, policies and procedures including safety procedures. Assure assigned personnel work schedules provide adequate field station coverage for the purposes of responding to stranded manatees. Serves in a state-wide on-call status after operating hours in a weekly rotation with other staff members and provides timely information to field station staff.  Manages day-to-day operation of marine mammal program responsibilities in the east central field office, including but not limited to coordinating with program administration for purchasing of supplies, tracking allotted budget, and preparation of reports for various administrative and grant obligations. Proactively maintain field station equipment, vehicles, vessels, trailers, and supplies and associated facilities including minor repairs and cleaning. Coordinates and leads field station participation in priority Marine Mammal Section projects including manatee photo identification; temperature probe deployment and recovery; aerial surveys; genetic sampling; manatee research capture and tracking for telemetry studies; and assures established project protocols are followed and timely distribution of data to project leaders. Manages stomach content analysis project.  Maintains stomach content sample collection and reading equipment, provides analysis of the samples, collects data, and works with section researchers to apply the data to understanding manatee life history and mortality events.   Assists with priority program science initiatives as needed.  Assists stranding network with other marine mammal strandings as time warrants.  Serves on integrated agency regional response teams for mortality events and serves on strategic marine mammal stranding response planning teams.  Serves as the east central regional response field coordinator during manatee mass mortality events.  Promotes and participates in public outreach efforts as appropriate. Perform related work as required or assigned by supervisor.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: methods of data collection; principles and techniques of research and analysis; marine mammal anatomy and necropsy techniques; live and dead marine mammal stranding response techniques. 

Skills: use of database, spreadsheet, word processing, and graphic software such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint; use of scientific biomedical field equipment such as portable ultrasound, PIT tags, and biopsy equipment. 

Abilities to: prepare written technical reports; utilize problem-solving techniques; understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, polices, procedures; maintain assigned marine mammal database, lead marine mammal necropsies and rescues; establish and maintain effective relationships with supervisor, internal and external partners, and the public; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; swim with sufficient skill to save oneself in the event of an emergency; safely operate vehicles, trailers, and boats up to 26’, including manatee capture boat; effectively and safely lead live and dead marine mammal stranding teams and responses; effectively supervise others and plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments for direct reports and work in on-call status on a rotational basis.

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.