FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77073224

Requisition No: 860390 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST II - 77073224

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77073224 

Salary:  $41,000 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/26/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC-FWRI Marine Mammal Section

Biological Scientist II – Career Service Position with Benefits

$1,576.92 Biweekly, $41,000 Annually

3700 54th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL

 Marine Mammal Section

Research Associate - CS 77073224

St. Petersburg, Florida - $41,000 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:

5 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 and one year of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications:
Experience assisting with safe and efficient manatee captures and live marine mammal transports.

Experience assisting with conducting 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:

Leads or assists in coordinating timely responses to marine mammal carcass reports for the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory (MMPL) - stranding coverage region: coastal counties Escambia to Manatee.  Responses include but are not limited to carcass verifications, tows, recoveries, and transports to designated workup and/or disposal sites including the Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St. Petersburg, FL.  Leads or assists in conducting consistent, high-quality necropsies on marine mammals to determine cause of death and collects samples and data per protocols in a manner consistent with safe practices (handling sharp instruments, appropriate PPE and appropriate biohazardous waste practices).  Records data and related information in necropsy reports and on data sheets per established protocols.  Responsible for carcass disposal, and cleaning of equipment and instruments.  Leads or assists with safe and efficient manatee rescue operations in the MMPL region including open water captures using a manatee capture boat.  Leads live manatee transports to and from manatee critical care and secondary holding facilities.  Leads or assists with other live or dead marine mammal stranding responses, rescues, and transports.  Assists other FWC manatee laboratories with rescue and transport support as needed.  Assists with other marine mammal section priority research projects including but not limited to photo ID, genetics sampling, temperature probes, and aerial surveys.  Serves in regional on-call status between 8am and 5pm on holidays in rotation with other MMPL staff members and on occasional weekend days as needed for the purpose of responding to manatee emergencies.  Serves in statewide on-call status between 5pm and 8 am Friday through Thursday and all day for state holidays during assigned week in a weekly rotation with other FWRI-Marine Mammal Section field staff.  Responds to manatee strandings outside of normal work schedule as needed or assigned.

Assists with manatee necropsy report editing and finalizing manatee necropsy data.  Maintains state purchasing credit card.  Responsible for monitoring, purchasing, and restocking laboratory and field consumables at the MMPL.  Responsible for purchases as assigned by MMPL supervisor.  Prepares grant reports, budget reports, and grant application submissions when needed. Performs other duties as assigned.  Participates in public outreach events as appropriate.
 
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 graphics 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 necropsy and rescue reports; utilize problem-solving techniques; understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, polices and procedure; edit manatee necropsy reports; lead or assist with marine mammal necropsies; establish and maintain effective working 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 24', including manatee capture boat; effectively and safely lead or assist live and dead marine mammal stranding teams and responses; 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.