Job Description

Requisition No: 872276

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: F & W BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST IV - 77072664

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77072664

Salary: $1,945.56 biweekly + benefits

Posting Closing Date: 04/05/2026

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Anticipated vacancy

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77072664

Position Title: Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV

Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,945.56 + benefits

Supervisor: Eric Seckinger

Supervisor contact information for inquiries:Eric.Seckinger@MyFWC.com

Broadband Code: 19-1023-04

Class Code: 5075

Position location: TBD

Region: Northwest, South

County: Leon, Martin or Palm Beach

Working hours: 40hrs/week 8am-5pm M-F with some limited overnight travel

List of any subordinates supervised: 1 to 3 staff

Residency Requirement: Tallahassee or Tequesta/West Palm Beach area

Agency information: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (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 is 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. The FWC has six Divisions, including the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. The Division of Habitat and Species Conservation is comprised of six sections and two offices. This is an opportunity to join the Imperiled Species Management Section.

Minimum qualifications A high school diploma and seven years of professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program is required. A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the seven years of experience..

Preferred qualifications Previous experience with State of Florida permitting or regulatory programs, reviewing lighting plans and/or marine turtle management programs are highly desired. Experience with ArcPro, MS Office, and MS SharePoint is preferred. Experience supervising employees is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of terminology, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analysis or management;
• Strong administrative, communication and computer skills, including proficiency with PowerPoint;
• Knowledge of data collection methods, particularly for imperiled or endangered species;
• Knowledge of wildlife conservation and management principles, strategies, and regulations;
• Ability to learn, understand, and apply highly detailed technical information;
• Ability to perform quantitative analysis of scientific data and utilize problem-solving techniques;
• Ability to evaluate, interpret and defend decisions based on biological data;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a variety of audiences;
• Ability to understand and apply Florida statutes and rules as they relate to conservation issues;
• Ability to write technical reports and agency correspondence clearly and concisely;
• Ability to work independently and on teams;
• Ability to initiate, manage and lead meetings;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, the public and stakeholders;
• Ability to speak publicly and conduct outreach to various audiences;
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines;
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced work environment and adhere to time constraints;
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and good time management skills.

Additional requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. A valid driver’s license and the ability to participate in limited statewide travel is required.

of Duties: This primarily office-based position serves as the lead for the FWC Sea Turtle Lighting team, providing expertise and guidance to reduce adverse impacts to marine turtles and their nesting habitat within the Imperiled Species Management Section’s Marine Turtle Management and Environmental Commenting Programs. This incumbent is expected to develop and maintain expertise on the effects of artificial light on coastal wildlife, maintain knowledge of available lighting technologies and apply this information to reduce impacts on marine turtles and their habitat.

Position duties include review and approval of lighting plans for coastal structures; conduct post-construction inspections to ensure compliance with the approved plan; lead FWC’s Wildlife Lighting Certification program; education and outreach within and outside the agency; and varying marine turtle related projects. This position will also work directly with local governments, state agencies, property owners, Marine Turtle Permit Holders and other stakeholders in coastal communities on reducing impacts from existing coastal lighting.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• In coordination with Section and Program leadership, review current procedures and permit conditions to develop efficiencies in application review procedures and improve permit compliance while maintaining conservation objectives.
• Create and present educational and training workshops; and research and evaluate existing and emerging lighting technologies to maintain expertise in wildlife lighting issues;
• Serve as the Florida sea turtle lighting coordinator, including tracking required lighting surveys for beach nourishment projects and coordinating with local, state and federal agencies, and stakeholder groups to conserve, enhance, and protect marine turtle habitat;
• Draft biological opinions and provide technical comments for environmental resource permits and other regulatory or planning authorizations such as Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP), Coastal Construction Control Line permits (CCCL), Sovereign Submerged Lands Leases (SSL), Joint Coastal Permits (JCP), various management plans, comprehensive plan amendments and State Clearinghouse under Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP);
• Review and approve lighting plans for coastal construction projects for state authorization; participate in pre-construction meetings, pre- and post-construction inspections, and meetings with agency and property/project representatives;
• Provide technical assistance to other FWC Sections, as well as to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Port Authorities, county/city governments, and coastal property owners;
• Manage all aspects of the Wildlife Lighting Certification Program, including oversight of fixture testing, coordination with lighting manufacturers, and maintenance of certification webpages and databases;
• Initiate, coordinate, and participate in meetings, workshops, and professional presentations;
• Assists with management of the Agency’s Project Tracking System;
• Supervise two staff remotely;
• Act as Agency expert witness in administrative hearings; and
• Perform other duties as required, including, but not limited to: assisting with information and outreach events, assisting with, participating in the agency’s stranding and salvage program, and assisting with other field activities as directed {e.g., ground truthing, hatch success evaluations, nourishment research, site inspections related to bear and panther management)

How to Apply: In addition to submitting a completed state application via People First (https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/), applicants are required to submit a current cover letter expressing their interest in the position and resume highlighting their qualifications. Cover letters and resumes should be uploaded to the People First System. Applications without a cover letter and resume are deemed incomplete and will not be considered. Answers to qualifying questions must be validated in the application resume and cover letter.

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.