OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035

Requisition No: 881722 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035

 Pay Plan: Seasonal

Position Number: 77903035 

Salary:  $20 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 08/25/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC/Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Biological Scientist I – OPS Position

$20/hour

370 Zoo Parkway

Jacksonville, FL

Fish & Wildlife Research Institute

Wildlife Research/Marine Mammals

OPS Position - Biological Scientist I - 77903035

St. Augustine, FL - $20/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:

4 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 a major in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.

 
Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences.

Preference may also be given to candidates with previous aerial and/or marine mammal survey experience; practical knowledge of photo-identification techniques; and who demonstrate experience in database entry and hands-on experience with digital SLR cameras and lenses. 

Requirements:

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

Applicants must include a cover letter highlighting their interest in the position and relevant qualifications, a resume or CV, and contact information for at least three professional references. Cover letters, resumes, and references shall be uploaded to the People First System.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume.

Prior to the start of surveys, applicants will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete aircraft and marine safety and survival training, which may also include the satisfactory completion of an FAA second-class medical certificate.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The position is temporary/seasonal, contingent upon funding, and will not be eligible for participation in State Group insurance benefits.

This position is expected to start mid-November (date TBD). The anticipated end date for this position is 4/3/2027. Applicants must be willing to regularly work weekends, holidays, and evenings. The position is based in St. Augustine, FL.

FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) conducts research and monitoring activities for right whales in the southeastern United States. Projects focus on vessel-strike mitigation and data collection for federal assessment of the status and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale population. Aerial surveys are flown daily, weather permitting, from December 1st through March 31st. Aerial observers are responsible for surveying open ocean from a small aircraft to locate large whales. Observers collect in-flight survey data and photo-documentation of large whales, perform real-time photo-identification of right whales, and assist with survey planning and communications while in flight.  Observers also perform data management and archival tasks including entering and verifying tabular and spatial data. Observers provide ground support for the aerial survey crew and assist with documentation of large whale reports from the public; thus, the successful candidate must communicate effectively with partner state and federal agencies and NGO representatives, as well as the general public. As time allows, observers assist with vessel surveys and genetic sampling efforts as well as field necropsies of right whales and large whale disentanglement.

Applicants will need to be organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and adept at problem-solving and time management to succeed in this position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Qualified applicants will have knowledge of: basic principles of field research and data collection; wildlife photography; digital photography equipment; marine animal identification, photo-identification of individual animals; and Microsoft Office programs.

Qualified applicants must have the skills to: cultivate successful working relationships with team members; excel under uncomfortable and mentally-demanding field conditions including a full day of observing while seated in a small aircraft or aboard a small vessel; plan, organize, prioritize, and complete work assignments on time; communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Qualified applicants must have the ability to: thrive in a small team environment and communicate effectively with team members; understand and correctly utilize applicable rules, regulations, and procedures as described in training; apply sound judgement when making decisions related to survey protocols, safety, permit compliance, and data collection; swim sufficiently to save oneself; visually survey for right whales and other target species with distance vision 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction, and utilizing full field of vision; carry-out daily manual labor; vertically lift at least 50 pounds; maintain a valid driver’s license and safely operate vehicles.

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/.

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.