ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 77072941

Requisition No: 861532 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST - 77072941

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072941 

Salary:  $52,000 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Fish & Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Ecosystem Assessment & Restoration Section

Assistant Research Scientist – Career Service Position with Benefits

$2,000 Biweekly, $52,000 Annually

100 8th Ave SE

St. Petersburg, FL

 FWRI – Coral Research Program

Assistant Research Scientist - CS 779072941

St. Petersburg, 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.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's Coral Research Program in St. Petersburg, FL invites applications for a full-time Career Service (CS) Assistant Research Scientist to serve as a co-PI of the Coral Reef Evaluation & Monitoring Project (CREMP), supporting the programmatic and operational needs of the project. 

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:
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.\

Submit a cover letter with your People First application. 

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 lead researcher for the FWRI Coral Research Program and provide scientific support to 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/ for more information.

Responsibilities and duties will include:

Serve as the co-PI of the Coral Reef Evaluation & Monitoring Project (CREMP) in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and Dry Tortugas.  Directly assist the CREMP PI to ensure completion of all administrative, field, and data assimilation tasks. Assist with the deployment of CREMP protocols and standards to ensure collection and entry of project data is completed in a satisfactory manner by all team members. Facilitate updates and revisions to QA/QC protocols as specified. Provide technical assistance and instructional guidance for the identification and taxonomy of coral reef organisms and assist with or lead training exercises to carry out field surveys. Assist with the organization and dissemination of CREMP project data to make datasets publicly accessible and to fulfill reporting deliverables to agencies. Complete statistical analyses of project data and creation of summary tables and graphics used for annual reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Write and co-author 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 the Institute, with other divisions of FWC and with external organizations, agencies, and partners to expand the research objectives of CREMP and/other coral research projects.  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.

Conduct in situ demographic surveys of scleractinians, octocorals, and sponges for CREMP and other 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 site or from photographic images of underwater transects using point count software. Assist in mobilizing and demobilizing for all field operations. Supervise FTE and/or OPS coral support staff that are responsible for assisting with CREMP data organization and management and data collected for other coral research projects.  Duties include but are not limited to: recruitment, training, planning and directing work, mentoring and reviewing performance with employee, approving timesheets, and ensuring compliance with Commission and FWRI rules, policies, and procedures. 

Serve as the FWRI Project Manager for the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Evaluation and Monitoring Project (SECREMP). Responsible for project administration to ensure all grant deliverables and activities are completed in a timely manner.  Manage subcontracts associated with SECREMP external partners (NOVA SE University/NCRI) so all field activities are completed in accordance with FWRI policies and procedures.  Assist in the statistical analysis and interpretation of SECREMP data, contribute as a coauthor on SECREMP reports and peer reviewed manuscripts, and ensure quarterly and annual reports are completed in a satisfactory manner.

 
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 mixed gas (NITROX) certification

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.