OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77907447

Requisition No: 874687.

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Working Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci II - 77907447.

Pay Plan: Temp.

Position Number: 77907447.

Salary: $21 per hour.

Posting Closing Date: 05/17/2026.

Location: 100 8th Ave SE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Brevard/Indian River Counties, Florida.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Fisheries Research, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Biological Scientist II – OPS Position.

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; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and 1 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.

Requirements

• Occasional overnight travel is required.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Applicants should submit a cover letter describing interest and relevance to the position.

Position Overview and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of at-sea observer surveys onboard recreational for-hire charter and party vessels (headboats), including establishing and maintaining good working relationships with cooperative for-hire vessel operators; scheduling at-sea observer sampling trips with vessel operators and meeting monthly sampling quotas; working with vessel operators and recreational anglers to cooperatively collect data from harvested and discarded fish; proper handling of live fish for tag and release; fast and efficient collection of multiple data points under pressure and adverse conditions; biological sampling; clean and legible recording of data in the field; data entry and quality assurance checks.

The qualified applicant would be based in North-Central Florida, conducting work throughout Brevard and Indian River Counties and occasionally Volusia and St. Lucie counties. There may be opportunities to travel to other regions of Florida as needed. The position includes access to a state vehicle for all job-related travel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of fish morphology, identification of marine fishes to species, offshore recreational fishing methods and behavior, biological sampling techniques, statistical survey sampling methods, data collection, and data entry.
• Be able to conduct complex field work in adverse conditions offshore. Preference may be given to individuals having at least one year of direct experience working at-sea in marine fisheries monitoring programs.
• Detail-oriented with good organizational and time management skills.
• Experience with the following: communication with the public; working effectively as part of a team under minimum supervision; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; working on the water and in adverse conditions; maintaining field sampling equipment; thinking logically and apply problem-solving techniques; effectively communicating verbally and in writing; working unusual or long hours, holidays, over-night, or remotely; and maintaining frequent contact with other staff and supervisors.
• Operate a personal computer and various word processing and data software.
• Knowledge in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook and Adobe Pro.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• High attention to detail.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: 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).