FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77073262

Requisition No: 864611 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77073262

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77073262 

Salary:  $1,945.56 biweekly + benefits 

Posting Closing Date: 11/20/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Position Number: 77073262

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,945.56 + benefits

Supervisor: Michelle R. Pasawicz

Supervisor contact information for inquiries: Michelle.Pasawicz@MyFWC.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-04

Class Code:5075

Position location: 1875 E. Orange Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32311

Region: Northwest

County: Leon

Working hours: 8 to 5; M-F

List of any subordinates supervised: 0-3 staff

Residency Requirement: Tallahassee

Agency information: 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 is 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 Division of Habitat & Species Conservation is comprised of six Sections and two offices. This position works within the Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM) of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation.

Minimum qualifications: A high school diploma and 7 years professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the 7 years of required experience.

Additional requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Previous experience with Florida manatee management or research programs and/or the state or federal environmental regulatory programs, including policy development, is highly preferred. A valid driver’s license and the ability to participate in periodic statewide travel is required.

Answers to qualifyig questions must be validated in the application, resume and cover letter.

Preferred qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of terminology, scientific method, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analyses or testing;

• Knowledge of the methods of data collection, particularly for imperiled or listed species;

• Skilled in effective written and verbal communication including public speaking and technical report writing;

• Skilled in administration and organization of tasks and assignments;

• Skilled MS software applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required, and Google Earth Pro, ArcGIS 10.5+, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Online, SharePoint;

• Ability to perform complex quantitative analyses of scientific data;

• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public, and stakeholders;

• Ability to work independently and on teams;

• Ability to review, evaluate, interpret and defend biological data;

• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and good time management skills.   

Description of Duties:

This is an opportunity to join our team within the Imperiled Species Management Section’s Manatee Management Program! This position is responsible for the collaborative implementation of the Manatee Warm-water Habitat Action Plan. This position will serve in a leadership capacity by facilitating the long-term prioritization of warm-water habitat networks, coordinating interagency habitat restoration and enhancement efforts, and overseeing the successful collaboration of statewide regional partnership teams. Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Organizes, leads, and facilitates interagency and partner working groups and planning teams related to warm-water habitat restoration, enhancement, and creation;
• Oversees data collection, feasibility studies, and restoration activities, conducts data analyses, and regular monitoring of available data including, budget and contract management, interpretation of data and development of recommendations for habitat projects;
• Pursues grant funding, as directed, for identified restoration and enhancement projects and with internal and external organization partners;
• Coordinates discussions related to Warm-water Habitat Action Plan implementation with agency leadership, federal partners, and local governments;
• Serves as a subject matter expert for manatee warm-water and foraging habitat, leads commenting and/or provides support to other Section staff engaged in environmental permit review;
• Performs field and site visits related to manatee warm-water and foraging habitat as necessary;
• Prepares, publishes, and presents project management plans, regional progress reports, and relevant recommendations and initiatives through internal (reports and management plans) and external (oral presentations, peer-reviewed publications, professional, and public meeting, etc.) methods;
• Develops, revises, and updates power plant manatee protection plans in coordination with industrial and federal partners;
• Assists with the creation, maintenance and quality control of shapefiles, layers and geodatabases, develop maps and data summaries using ArcGIS, GoogleEarth, MS Access and MS Excel for management purposes;
• Assists with, or contributes to, state-wide management of water control structures, manatee protection zones, and manatee protection plans as needed;
• Contributes to program outreach efforts, including campaign development and manatee and sea turtle annual decal development and distribution as needed; and
• Assists with webpage development, equipment maintenance, and administrative duties as needed.
• Attends and represents the FWC at government meetings, public meetings, administrative hearings, and Commission meetings;
• Participates in the development and revision of county Manatee Protection Plans;
• Participates in the section’s stranding and salvage carcass recovery program;
• Participates other miscellaneous work assignments as needed;

 Qualifications:

•     Qualified applicants will have a strong background in aquatic resource management, hydrology, and aquatic habitat enhancement methods.

•     Qualified applicants will have a strong background in contract management and project development.

•     Candidates with documented experience managing or leading professional working groups and/or teams is highly preferred.

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

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

•     This position requires administrative, communication, and computer skills, and the review, evaluation, interpretation, and presentation of biological data.

•     Previous experience with Florida manatee management or research programs and/or the state or federal environmental regulatory programs, including policy development, is highly preferred.

•     Ability to read, understand, and comment on engineering designs for environmental restoration plans.

•     Knowledge of terminology, scientific method, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analyses or testing;

•     Knowledge of freshwater, marine and/or estuarine ecosystems;

•     Knowledge of the methods of data collection, particularly for imperiled or listed species;

•     Ability to perform quantitative analyses of scientific data;

•     Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines;

•     Must communicate effectively verbally and in writing;

•     Ability to write technical reports, data analyses, and agency correspondence;

•     Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public, and stakeholders;

•     Ability to work independently and on teams;

•     Qualified candidates will need to be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and have good time management skills to succeed in the position.

•     Proficiency in MS software applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint required, and Google Earth Pro, ArcGIS 10.5+, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Online, SharePoint preferred.

•     Statewide and overnight travel is required.

How to Apply: In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/), applicants are required to submit a current cover letter expressing their interest in the position and resume highlighting their qualifications. Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System. Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

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.