Ecologist Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 881892 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST-FWC - 77072726

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072726 

Salary:  $58,000, Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/04/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Associate Research Scientist - Career Service Position with Benefits

$2,230.77 Biweekly, $58,000 Annually

100 8th Ave SE

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

 Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Associate Research Scientist - CS 77072726

St. Petersburg, Florida - $58,000 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:
8 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory 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 four 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 three years of professional experience as described above; 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 one year 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 in one of the life, natural or quantitative sciences and three years of professional experience in marine research; or a doctorate in one of the life, natural or quantitative sciences and one year of professional experience in marine research. Master's degree and doctoral candidates graduating in December 2026 may be considered.

Applicants with a Ph.D. and a strong background in spatial analyses may be given preference.

Applicants with experience supervising research teams may be given preference.

Applicants with at least two (2) peer-reviewed publications, of which at least one (1) is as lead author, may be given preference.

Applicants with demonstrable experience in Open Science practices may be given preference.

Applicants who can code in various languages (e.g., R, SQL, SAS, Python, .NET, etc.) may be given preference.

Applicants with skills in designing, assembling, programming, and maintaining ocean and ecological observing hardware platforms may be given preference.

Applicants with a proven record in applying, obtaining, and managing budgets for grant funding may be given preference.

Applicants with experience leading boat- and diving-based field work and with a current AAUS Scientific Diving Certification may be given preference.

Applicants with experience using small uncrewed aerial systems (drones) and with a current FAA Part 107 License may be given preference.

Applicants with demonstrable experience using ecosystem modeling software such as EcoPath with EcoSim or Maxent may be given preference.

Requirements:

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

To be considered for this position a Cover Letter and Resume MUST be attached to your PeopleFirst Application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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.

NOTE:

Candidates selected for interviews may be expected to present a seminar of their relevant research and experiences. Travel expenses to the interview are the candidate's responsibility. Remote presentations can be accommodated.

Candidates are encouraged to submit an example of a manuscript, grant proposal, or data science/analysis code with their initial application materials.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This position serves as the leader of a coastal- and marine-focused research team principal investigator for spatially explicit modeling, monitoring, and mapping projects that support the conservation and management of Florida's marine environment. This position will initiate projects that align with the individual's expertise and FWC priorities and will immediately manage a team of marine ecologists working on several diverse research projects.

Active staff projects within the management responsibilities of this position include summarizing spatio-temporal trends in water quality throughout South Florida, projecting populations and spatial shifts of fisheries species under different climate scenarios in the US South Atlantic,  developing of a decision support system to aid site selection for coral reef restoration, and analyzing changes in sportfish populations, demographics, and communities after seagrass loss in the Indian River Lagoon.

Responsibilities:

Obtain and manage competitive grants as a principal investigator that inform the spatial distribution and interactions of marine organisms relative to habitat use, management zones, environmental conditions, human activities, and restoration activities.

Review and coordinate activities with regional partners that involve marine benthic habitat characterization, mapping, habitat alteration, and restoration activities. Review projects, proposals, and potential management decisions that may impact marine resources when Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing products, acoustics, and emerging technologies are used.

Utilize GIS, remote sensing, acoustics, emerging technologies, and the principles of landscape and marine ecology to support FWC priorities and strategic initiatives. Articulate related marine resource management and research priorities with regional partners.

Conduct field work to validate model predictions, quantify map accuracy, and to maintain ocean observing assets. Promote emerging technologies, such as machine learning pipelines, interactive dashboards, and automated unmanned vehicles, to streamline field activities.

Remain at the forefront of emerging technologies, including deep learning, drones, and spatial modeling to provide resources and support to FWC staff and external collaborators.

Prepare technical and scientific reports, manuscripts, and presentations on results from applied research.

Supervise assigned personnel and monitor annual working budgets.

 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of landscape ecology, seascape ecology, marine ecology, oceanography, geography, and marine spatial planning.                 

Knowledge of sampling designs and methods used for characterizing benthic habitat, summarizing spatio-temporal trends, and quantifying predictive accuracy.

Knowledge of principles of computer coding techniques and relational databases.

Knowledge of advanced functions within ArcGIS and ESRI products.

Skill to collect and summarize complex spatial data, from various relational databases and outside sources.

Skill to use various software packages to write code to manipulate or analyze data.

Skill to develop and design marine research studies.

Skill to prepare manuscripts and technical reports.

Skill to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Skill to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to supervise a team of 5 to 10 researchers working simultaneously on 5 or more grant-funded projects simultaneously.

Ability to use state-issued computer and associated software (word processing, spreadsheet, database and statistical).

Ability to perform strenuous physical activities under arduous conditions (e.g., inclement weather, rough water, boat engine exhaust, shoreline wading) while conducting field work.

Ability to travel in and out of state.

Ability to complete small boat safety course and AAUS diving certification if requested.

Ability to obtain an FAA Part 107 License if requested.

Ability to maintain a valid Florida 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/.

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.