Freshwater Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 882047 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: FISH & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST IV - 77000162

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000162 

Salary:  50,584.67 

Posting Closing Date: 09/01/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management

Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist IV - Career Service Position with Benefits

$1,945.56 Biweekly, $50,584.67 annually + benefits

620 S. Meridian Street

Tallahassee, FL

 Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management

Fisheries and Wildlife Biologist IV - CS 77000162

Tallahassee, Florida - $50,584.67 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:

• 7 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program can substitute for the required bachelor's degree is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in fisheries, freshwater or marine biology, or closely related field, and three years of relevant professional experience. Or
• A Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in fisheries, freshwater or marine biology, or closely related field, and two years of relevant professional experience. Or
• A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a major course of study in fisheries, freshwater or marine biology, or closely related field.
• Preference may be given to a candidate familiar with Florida rulemaking process and Florida fish and wildlife rules and Statutes.

Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check (fingerprint-based) in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. 
 

Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Some travel and overtime required and may include weeknights, weekends, and holidays. This position is not eligible for Telework.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verified by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume.  Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

FWC's Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management (DFFM) is seeking an energetic and motivated candidate to work within a team to serve as the division's rulemaking and policy lead. This position offers an exciting opportunity to help influence policy decisions for freshwater fisheries management and foster relationships within the agency and with a diverse group of stakeholders.

The selected candidate will work directly with DFFM Section Leaders and Regional Fisheries Administrators to gather, synthesize, and manage freshwater fisheries data necessary to characterize and assess the status of Florida's freshwater fisheries rules, regulations, policies, and permits. As a DFFM representative they will be required to interact with diverse stakeholders varying perspectives, and coordinate with different divisions within FWC on a variety of tasks related to freshwater fisheries rule and policy development. They will develop technical papers, documents, and presentations on the management of Florida's freshwater fisheries to guide and support the Commissions rulemaking process. Works with senior Division leadership to coordinate with freshwater commercial and recreational anglers and other stakeholders to identify management issues. Conducts public workshops, workgroups, and other meetings as required to help gather input on issues related to Florida's freshwater fisheries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as a liaison with state and federal agencies and responds to public inquiries including public records requests on any rule, regulation, policy, and permits related to Florida's freshwater fisheries.
• Research issues, gather information, and analyze information necessary for analysis and rulemaking rule and policy development.
• Serves as the lead in developing or revising rules, permits, and other policy documents related to freshwater fisheries management.
• Conducts public meetings, workshops, or other forms of stakeholder engagement on freshwater commercial or recreations fisheries management issues as assigned.
• Serves as the lead in developing and providing necessary documents for Commission meetings.
• Works closely with Legal Office, Division of Law Enforcement DFFM representatives, and any other relevant FWC Divisions during rule and policy development.
• Provides support to DFFM Section Leaders, Deputy Director, and Division Director on special assignments as assigned.
• Performs other freshwater fisheries and FWC-related work as assigned.

This position is a great opportunity to grow your career by developing relationships with other professionals both internally and externally of FWC and building a better understanding of the numerous freshwater fisheries in Florida.

 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of general biological principles, fisheries management, and freshwater fisheries issues and topics.
• Knowledge of state rulemaking requirements as established in Chapter 120, Florida Statute, and 1-1, Florida Administrative Code.
• Ability to understand, evaluate, analyze, and organize freshwater fisheries rule, regulation, policy and related freshwater resource information.
• Ability to understand and utilize fisheries dependent and independent data, regulation management, and habitat assessments to draft applicable, accurate, and legal updates and changes to freshwater fisheries rules, regulations, policies and permits. 
• Ability to understand state of Florida statutes and administrative code and to produce functional, accurate statute and rule language, and accompanying legal or technical documents to support statutory and rulemaking processes.
• Skilled in applying critical thinking to inform recommendations for fishery rules, regulations, and policy.
• Ability to use good judgement and make appropriate and reasonable decisions based on multiple stakeholder and scientific viewpoints and factors.
• Strong planning skills and highly organized, takes initiative to plan, organize, coordinate, and complete work assignments.
• Ability to work independently and be highly productive with little or no supervision.
• Ability to lead a team and coordinate the team's input to arrive at reasonable, appropriate, and legal conclusions.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to synthesize highly technical information into coherent and accurate report formats including written reports, power point presentations, spreadsheets and other applicable formats for agency use and for dissemination to the public.
• Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain productive relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and team members.

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.