Marine Fisheries Biological Scientist IV

Requisition No: 843240
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 77072574
Salary:  $50,000 – $54,000 annually, paid biweekly plus benefits
Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2025
Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV
Position No.:77072574
Location:Tallahassee, FLSalary: $50,000 – $54,000 annually, paid biweekly plus benefits
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Supervisor: Keith Mille
Requisition No: 843240
Pay Plan: Career Service
Posting Closing Date: 1/5/2025

OUR ORGANIZATION AND MISSION:

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.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor of Science degree and a minimum of four years professional experience in life or physical science, or a Master of Science degree and a minimum of two years professional experience in life or physical sciences is preferred.
• Professional experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities included herein may substitute for the postsecondary degree(s) as follows:  two years for an associate degree, four years for a bachelor’s degree; six years for a master’s degree.
• Basic Open Water SCUBA certification required.
• Advanced and Scientific Diving SCUBA certifications preferred.

REQUIREMENTS:

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history record check in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. 
Working Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Time.  Some travel and overtime is required and may include weeknights, weekends and holidays.  Not eligible for telework.

All applicants are required to submit a current résumé and cover letter highlighting their qualifications and interest in the position, in addition to submitting a completed state application via People First and completing the qualifying questions.  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.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess SCUBA certification from a nationally recognized agency (minimum open water certification required, advanced open water certification or higher preferred).

OVERVIEW, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is with FWC’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Artificial Reef Sub-section.  The selected candidate will work closely with another Biological Scientist IV and a Biological Administrator to manage grants and contracts for artificial reef development and research, compile, analyze and interpret biological data, implement assessments of artificial reef habitats and compile technical reports.

This position is 100% funded through an annual grant to FWC from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

The person selected for this position will be required to regularly interact with individuals from within and outside the agency, as well as the general public.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages multiple assigned artificial reef construction, monitoring, and research contracts with local coastal governments, select 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations and state universities.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other agency managers, state and federal regulatory staff, local coastal government managers, media, public and affected artificial reef stakeholders.
• Serves on the Division of Marine Fisheries Management Dive Team to assess and develop reports on the performance/compliance of previously deployed artificial reef projects.
• Manages and regularly validates and updates Florida’s Artificial Reef GIS Geodatabase. These include tracking artificial reef development activity statewide, maintaining accuracy by receiving updates from local artificial reef managers on any changes in condition and location of past reef deployments, tracking FWC funded dive monitoring activities, reef fish census data.
• Operates side scan sonar, towed video cameras, and other remote sensing equipment to validate artificial reef locations and footprints.
• Assists in developing or revising rules, management plans, and other policy documents related to the artificial reef program.
• Provides regulatory review and agency comment on state and federal permits for artificial reef construction.
• Develops visual presentations and speaks at public meetings and workshops when required.
• Assists in the development and monitoring of project work plans and budgets.
• Operates/maintains project equipment including vehicles, boats, motors, trailers, and other field sampling equipment.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate processing and/or approval of vendor invoices and warrants for payment of goods received or services rendered.
• Responsible for adhering to the provisions and requirements for Section 215.422.F.S., related State Comptroller’s rules and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.
• Courteously assists Commission constituents to resolve questions or problems and matters relating to the Commission or fish and wildlife conservation. Seeks to garner public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work with the general public, public officials, regulatory agencies and local governments and to conduct communications in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Knowledge of personal computers and related software (spreadsheet, database, data analysis, digital photo/video processing programs, etc.).
• Knowledge of marine construction and contract management.
• Ability to use ArcGIS and other GIS–related software applications.
• Skilled in SCUBA diving (minimum open water certification required, advanced open water certification or higher preferred) and ability to obtain AAUS scientific diving certification through the Commission’s certification process within 6 months of employment.
• Ability to work effectively in a team situation with one or more individuals in a strenuous field situation over a multi-day period and demonstrate ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in both a close-quarters field working environment and an office environment.
• Ability to trailer and operate vessels up to 32’ in length.
• Ability to successfully work independently on projects that involve coordination, monitoring, problem solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, graphically, and in writing including production of formal technical and annual reports.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workloads.
• Ability to think critically and develop logical responses to problems.
• Ability to identify Florida coastal marine fishes and major reef associated invertebrate taxa.
• Ability to endure long work hours and extensive periods of time in the field.
• Must be able to perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions (e.g. inclement weather, rough water), lift heavy equipment up to 50 lbs., and participate in heavy physical exertion while swimming or diving.
• Must be willing and able to travel and work some overtime hours including occasional weekends, and weeknights.

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.