OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035
Date:  Aug 14, 2026

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Requisition No: 881722
Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035
Pay Plan: Seasonal
Position Number: 77903035
Salary:  $20 per hour
Posting Closing Date: 08/25/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool<https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/>

FWC/Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)
Biological Scientist I – OPS Position
$20/hour
370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, FL

Direct link to job posting: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903035 Job 
Details | State of 
Florida<https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/SAINT-AUGUSTINE-OPS-BIOLOGICAL-SCIENTIST-I-FWC-77903035-FL-32085/1419606500/>

Fish & Wildlife Research Institute
Wildlife Research/Marine Mammals
OPS Position - Biological Scientist I - 77903035
St. Augustine, FL - $20/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:

4 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 a major in 
one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates with a bachelor's degree from an 
accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences.

Preference may also be given to candidates with previous aerial and/or marine 
mammal survey experience; practical knowledge of photo-identification 
techniques; and who demonstrate experience in database entry and hands-on 
experience with digital SLR cameras and lenses.

Requirements:

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 
background check at no cost to the candidate.

Applicants must include a cover letter highlighting their interest in the 
position and relevant qualifications, a resume or CV, and contact information 
for at least three professional references. Cover letters, resumes, and 
references shall be uploaded to the People First System.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or 
experience stated on the profile application/resume.

Prior to the start of surveys, applicants will be required to attend and 
satisfactorily complete aircraft and marine safety and survival training, which 
may also include the satisfactory completion of an FAA second-class medical 
certificate.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The position is temporary/seasonal, contingent upon funding, and will not be 
eligible for participation in State Group insurance benefits.

This position is expected to start mid-November (date TBD). The anticipated end 
date for this position is 4/3/2027. Applicants must be willing to regularly 
work weekends, holidays, and evenings. The position is based in St. Augustine, 
FL.

FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) conducts research and 
monitoring activities for right whales in the southeastern United States. 
Projects focus on vessel-strike mitigation and data collection for federal 
assessment of the status and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale 
population. Aerial surveys are flown daily, weather permitting, from December 
1st through March 31st. Aerial observers are responsible for surveying open 
ocean from a small aircraft to locate large whales. Observers collect in-flight 
survey data and photo-documentation of large whales, perform real-time 
photo-identification of right whales, and assist with survey planning and 
communications while in flight.  Observers also perform data management and 
archival tasks including entering and verifying tabular and spatial data. 
Observers provide ground support for the aerial survey crew and assist with 
documentation of large whale reports from the public; thus, the successful 
candidate must communicate effectively with partner state and federal agencies 
and NGO representatives, as well as the general public. As time allows, 
observers assist with vessel surveys and genetic sampling efforts as well as 
field necropsies of right whales and large whale disentanglement.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Qualified applicants will have knowledge of: basic principles of field research 
and data collection; wildlife photography; digital photography equipment; 
marine animal identification, photo-identification of individual animals; and 
Microsoft Office programs.

Qualified applicants must have the skills to: cultivate successful working 
relationships with team members; excel under uncomfortable and 
mentally-demanding field conditions including a full day of observing while 
seated in a small aircraft or aboard a small vessel; plan, organize, 
prioritize, and complete work assignments on time; communicate effectively 
verbally and in writing.

Qualified applicants must have the ability to: thrive in a small team 
environment and communicate effectively with team members; understand and 
correctly utilize applicable rules, regulations, and procedures as described in 
training; apply sound judgement when making decisions related to survey 
protocols, safety, permit compliance, and data collection; swim sufficiently to 
save oneself; visually survey for right whales and other target species with 
distance vision 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without 
correction, and utilizing full field of vision; carry-out daily manual labor; 
vertically lift at least 50 pounds; maintain a valid driver’s license and 
safely operate vehicles.

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/.
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.
Location:  SAINT AUGUSTINE, FL, US, 32085
Nearest Major Market: Jacksonville

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