Job Description

Requisition No: 862921


Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission


Working Title: RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77071893


Pay Plan: Career Service


Position Number: 77071893


Salary: $61,323.27 Annually


Posting Closing Date: 10/27/2025

Total Compensation Estimator

Tool

FWC Office of Human Resources

Research Scientist - Career Service Position with Benefits

$

2,358.59 Biweekly

, $61,323.27 Annually

100 8th Ave SE

Saint Petersburg, FL

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute/Marine Mammals

Research Scientist - CS 77071893

Saint Petersburg, Florida - $61,323.27 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

9 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 five 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 four years of professional experience as described; 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 two years of professional experience as described above can substitute for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

.

Preference may be given to candidates who possess 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; candidates who have four or more years of professional experience as described here or a doctorate from an accredited college or university in one of the physical or natural sciences or mathematics. Preference may also be given to candidates that have demonstrated experience with scientific project management, leading and implementing wildlife conservation research and/or monitoring projects, candidates who have experience with fish and wildlife data collection and analysis, natural resource and relational database management, and database and application programming.

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.



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:

The FWC is seeking an individual with strong data management and quantitative skills to fill a Research Scientist position in its Marine Mammal Research and Rescue Program. This position will be expected to participate in project management aspects of the Marine Mammal Program, with an emphasis on leading the FWRI Marine Mammal program data management team that provides spatial and non-spatial data management and analysis support for multiple long-term marine mammal research projects. The incumbent will liaison with program scientists to develop best practices and strategies to support conservation research and monitoring projects and reliable information management. Evaluates and recommends appropriate changes to data collection, data management, and analytical methods to reduce sampling bias, increase reliability, and increase efficiency. The incumbent will be responsible for analyzing biological data, implementing priority research projects, writing proposals and manuscripts, and supervising staff.



The program collects a wide range of biological and environmental data including mortalities and rescues, photo-identification, telemetry, aerial surveys, genetics, behavior, and habitat characteristics, including water temperature. Working with program staff, the incumbent will develop and implement a long-term, holistic, data management vision for the Marine Mammal program to ensure that practices secure data and facilitate the scientific data life cycle to achieve program objectives. The incumbent will be responsible for providing data science support and analytical support, taking a leading role in planning, managing, and advancing Marine Mammal program application and database development projects. Serve as program liaison with Institute IT staff to manage Marine Mammal program database support, including implementation of relational databases and applications, planning and approving user access, and managing program network usage to ensure appropriate data accessibility, efficient data storage, and adherence to agency data governance policies. Leads strategic planning for the GIS team, ensures that GIS design standards and guidelines for data development, data integration, and data maintenance are adhered to, provides program stewardship that ensures the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of data.



Duties will include but are not limited to: Data management and project implementation of various Marine Mammal research projects. Develop recommendations to improve the end-to-end utility and efficiency of data and analytical products produced by program studies. Statistically analyze data from program projects. Coordinates the development and implementation of front-end applications, data dashboards, or other user interfaces for databases. Present analytical results and represent FWC/FWRI at meetings and scientific conferences related to wildlife research. Prepare reports and analytical products for granting agencies, state and federal conservation managers, and other scientists. Prepare manuscripts suitable for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Respond to and perform data requests in a timely manner. Mentor, train, and assist other program staff in data collection, data management, and data analyses.


The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in database design and data management. They will have experience creating database documentation and metadata. They will have experience managing data through back-end systems and via front-end application tools. They will have a firm grasp on the scientific data life cycle and will be able to demonstrate experience supporting scientific data through all stages of the data life cycle.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to publish manuscripts in refereed scientific journals.


Knowledge of wildlife biology, terminology, principles and techniques used in conservation research on wildlife species.


Ability to collect, organize, and maintain scientific data related to population and biological research.



Must be able to identify and define technical needs, and assist with project prioritization to ensure program needs are met in a timely fashion.



Must be able to produce database & application user manuals in a manner that is easily shared with and understood by biologists.



Must be proficient with Excel, Access, and SQL. Proficiency in a modern statistical programming language such as R or Python.



Familiarity with low code tools and application development is preferred, including experience with ESRI Survey123, ArcGIS Online, or ArcGIS Pro.



Experience with applied database and application development, fish and wildlife data collection and analysis techniques. Familiar with data management principles, database and design principles and relational database structures.



Experience designing monitoring programs such as with aerial surveys, genetics, or other population survey techniques and performing scientific quantitative analysis such as linear models, generalized linear models, mixed effect (hierarchical) models, and nonparametric models is preferred.



Must be able to multi-task and work independently to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.



Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with research staff, including program personnel stationed at field offices throughout the state of Florida; and to effectively supervise people and demonstrate the ability to lead people toward organizations mission and goals.



Ability to maintain a valid driver's license.

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.