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Director Marine Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Responsible for all aspects of animal husbandry pertaining to freshwater and marine fishes ... Observe and help maintain department areas as directed * Report supply needs to Curators * Assure ...

Oceanarium Director

Moorhead, MN · On-site

$47K - $93K/yr

Oceanarium Director Institution: Minnesota State University, Moorhead Classification Title: MSUAASF ... Master's degree in a marine biology, science education, or similar field - or - * Bachelor's degree ...

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Director Marine Biologist information

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$11K

$43.4K

$61K

How much do director marine biologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for director marine biologist in the United States is $43,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $48,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director marine biologist do?

A Director Marine Biologist leads and oversees scientific research and conservation efforts related to marine ecosystems and organisms. They manage teams of marine biologists, develop research programs, secure funding, and collaborate with governmental and environmental organizations. Their role often includes setting strategies for sustainable marine resource management, policy development, and public outreach. They also ensure research complies with environmental regulations and advances scientific understanding of marine environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director marine biologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Marine Biologist, you need advanced expertise in marine biology, research methodologies, and a relevant postgraduate degree, often a PhD. Familiarity with data analysis software, GIS tools, and scientific diving certifications is typically required. Leadership, project management, and strong communication skills are essential for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills are vital to effectively lead research initiatives, ensure accurate scientific outcomes, and drive impactful conservation efforts.

What are the typical leadership responsibilities and challenges faced by a director marine biologist overseeing a multidisciplinary team?

As a Director Marine Biologist, you will be responsible for guiding a diverse team of scientists, technicians, and support staff to achieve research and conservation objectives. Key challenges include balancing administrative duties with scientific oversight, securing funding, and fostering collaboration across specialties such as ecology, oceanography, and policy. You'll also be expected to set research priorities, mentor junior staff, and represent your organization in stakeholder meetings. Strong organizational skills and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments are essential for success in this leadership role.

What is the difference between Director Marine Biologist vs Marine Biologist?

AspectDirector Marine BiologistMarine Biologist
CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Marine Biology or related field, leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Marine Biology or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, NGOs, overseeing teamsResearch labs, fieldwork, educational settings
Employer & IndustryResearch organizations, government departments, environmental agenciesUniversities, research centers, conservation groups
Common Search IntentLeadership roles, management, project oversightResearch, fieldwork, data collection

The main difference between a Director Marine Biologist and a Marine Biologist lies in their responsibilities and experience. Directors typically hold leadership roles, overseeing projects and teams, often requiring advanced degrees and management skills. Marine Biologists focus on research, fieldwork, and data analysis. Both roles are vital in marine science but differ in scope and seniority.

More about Director Marine Biologist jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Marine Biologist jobs?

Cities with the most Director Marine Biologist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Marine Biologist jobs?

The most popular types of Marine Biologist jobs are:

What states have the most Director Marine Biologist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Marine Biologist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Marine Biologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,396 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Supervisory Research Fish Biologist

US Department of Commerce

Newport, OR • On-site

$106K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


U.S. Department Of Commerce rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

119th of 846 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This specific position will be filled in Miami, FL; Pascagoula, MS; Beaufort, NC; or Seattle, WA, and the initial certificate of eligibles will be issued for these locations. Additional duty locations are listed for future vacancies and/or vacancies that may be filled throughout the Department of Commerce. Please select locations for which you want to be considered.Qualifications:

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
BASIC REQUIREMENTS:This position requires applicants to meet a Basic Education Requirement in addition to at least one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. You MUST meet one of the following basic education requirements:
To qualify for the 0482 (Research) series:
Degree: Applicants must show that they have a degree with major study in biology, zoology, or biological oceanography that included at least 30 semester hours in biological and aquatic science and 15 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences. This course work must have included:

  • At least 15 semester hours of preparatory training in zoology beyond introductory biology or zoology in such courses as invertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, histology, physiology, embryology, advanced vertebrate zoology, genetics, entomology, and parasitology; and
  • At least 6 semester hours of training applicable to fishery biology in such subjects as fishery biology, ichthyology, limnology, oceanography, algology, planktonology, marine or fresh water ecology, invertebrate ecology, principles of fishery population dynamics, or related course work in the field of fishery biology; and
  • At least 15 semester hours of training in any combination of two or more of the following: chemistry, physics, mathematics, or statistics.

-AND-
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following:

  • Coordinating and directing a research program or project involving marine ecosystem or fisheries science;
  • Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting marine science data; and
  • Overseeing staff in a leadership capacity in areas such as in assigning work, setting priorities, providing feedback on work assignments, providing feedback regarding overall employee performance, etc.
Education:

Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable to this vacancy.
College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.
Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Employment Type: OTHER

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