OPS Associate Research Scientist - 77907185

Requisition No: 862722 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Associate Research Scientist - 77907185

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77907185 

Salary:  $30 per hour 

Posting Closing Date: 10/23/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Section

Associate Research Scientist – OPS Position 

$30 per hour - may be negotiable

100 8th Ave SE

St. Petersburg, FL

FWRI - Coral Research Program

Associate Research Scientist - OPS 77907185

St. Petersburg, 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:
8 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory 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 four 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 three 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 and one year of professional experience as described above 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 biological sciences and three 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 biological sciences.  Preference may also be given to applicants with field biologist experience and those who possess the ability to identify reef organisms, in particular benthic invertebrates and Scleractinia.

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 and resume or CV 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 the FWRI Coral Program Data Manager for multiple long-term monitoring projects, including the Coral Reef Evaluation & Monitoring Project, Endangered species monitoring (e.g., Acropora palmata or Dendrogyra cylindrus), and other Coral Program projects as needed. 

Position Responsibilities include:

Upgrade, maintain and organize datasets to ensure all databases are compliant with programs that meet State and Federal standards for metadata generation, digital storage and archiving and web-based accessibility to stakeholders.

Modernize historical Coral Program datasets and migrate them into sequel or relational-based databases.

Implement web-based or digital applications to ensure data entry is completed in a satisfactory manner and optimizes QA/QC protocols among a large team of scientists.

Ensure appropriate agency policies and procedures are followed for metadata generation, data storage, project workflow documentation, software selection, and security. Mentors other Coral Program staff and assists with database architecture & standards review. 

Develop and conduct statistical analyses that examine long-term changes in the abundance, percent cover, and/or overall status of coral reef taxa and benthic communities.

Formulate new, innovative methods or techniques that utilize historical data and imagery that illustrate changes in coral reef communities and incorporate ArcGIS Online, Shiny Apps, and other applications to display project results in compelling and interactive ways.

Provide data summaries to Coral Program project PIs, other FWRI sections, and external colleagues and organizations in a timely manner. 

Assist in the preparation of tables, maps, and figures for progress- and comprehensive reports and peer-reviewed publications.

Support internal and external research partners by utilizing pipelines that automatically update cartographic products and ecological models with new coral program data.

Support the advancement of digital imagery tools and software used by the Coral Program. 

Assist or delegate to support staff the procurement and maintenance of field photographic and video equipment. 

Assist in data collection using underwater photography and identify corals, octocorals, sponges, and other selected taxa from photographic images of underwater transects.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Microsoft Excel and Access, R/Shiny, and SQL databases; Database and interface design principles, data standardization methodologies, relational database structures, and normalizing & optimization techniques; Principles of marine experimental design and research; Collection of coral and benthic data survey techniques; Multi-variate statistics and statistical software programs; Coral reef ecology and conservation biology

Skill in: Developing and conducting statistical analyses in R, SAS, or with other statistical software; Organizing large datasets and attention to detail; Applied database and application development; ArcGIS for spatial analyses; Producing interpretive data summaries; Creation of illustrative products and geospatial graphics to showcase ecological data; Creating online data entry applications and standard operating procedures in a manner that can be easily shared with scientists or the public; Writing scientifically and co-authoring manuscripts

Ability to: Write and communicate effectively; Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner; Understand, review, and apply rules, policies, and procedures related to database and application development experience; Manage multiple large datasets simultaneously; Multi-task and work independently to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; Work as a team member to accomplish project goals, maintain effective working relationships with research and management personnel, and effectively supervise, mentor/train temporary staff/personnel

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.