OPS-F&W Biological Scientist III - 77905065

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is seeking an OPS-F&W Biological Scientist III to support the Sea Turtle Lighting team. This office-based role focuses on reducing adverse lighting impacts on coastal wildlife and involves coordinating with local governments, agencies, property owners, and permit holders.

The position requires knowledge of biology, conservation principles, and lighting technologies, with duties spanning plan reviews, outreach, and technical guidance.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications: high school diploma and six years of professional experience in a related biological field or lab program; BS substitutes for four years; graduate degree substitutes for two years.
• Sea turtle lighting experience and/or regulatory program familiarity preferred.
• Experience with ArcGIS/Pro, MS Office, and MS SharePoint is favored.

Responsibilities

• Review lighting plans for coastal construction and coordinate with agency and stakeholders.
• Develop and present educational workshops on lighting management for internal and external audiences.
• Research and evaluate lighting technologies to stay current on wildlife lighting issues.
• Provide technical assistance to agency sections and external partners.
• Participate in the Wildlife Lighting Certification Program and maintain certification materials.
• Lead meetings, workshops, and deliver presentations as needed.
• Draft analyses for permits and environmental planning documents.
• Assist with field activities related to marine turtles and coastal lighting assessments.

Skills

Biological research knowledge

Wildlife conservation principles

Data analysis

Public speaking

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Graduate degree in related field

High school diploma

Tools

ArcGIS/Pro

MS Office

MS SharePoint

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

OPS-F&W Biological Scientist III - 77905065

Date: Oct 12, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:885074

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS-F&W Biological Scientist III - 77905065

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Position Number: 77905065

Position Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Biological Scientist III

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

List of any subordinates supervised: 0-1 intern

Residency Requirement: Leon County 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. 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 six 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 six years of experience. AGraduate Degree in a relevant field can substitute for two of the six years of experience.

Preferred qualifications : Previous experience with sea turtle lighting and/or sea turtle management and/or State of Florida permitting or regulatory programs are highly desired. A Bachelor of Science degree in a life or physical science and experience with ArcGIS/Pro, MS Office, and MS SharePoint is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of terminology, principles, and techniques used in biological research, analysis or testing;
• Knowledge of the scientific method and conservation biology principles;
• 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;
• Strong administrative, communication, and computer skills, including proficiency with creating and conducting presentations;
• Skill in the use of scientific laboratory and field equipment;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a variety of audiences;
• Ability to write technical reports and agency correspondence clearly and concisely;
• Ability to work independently and on teams;
• 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; and
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments to meet deadlines with minimal oversight;
• Ability to initiate, manage, and lead meetings.

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 are required.

Description of Duties: This primarily office-based position serves as a member of 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. Team members are expected to develop and maintain expertise in the impacts of artificial light on coastal wildlife and in lighting technologies available to reduce impacts.

Primary duties of this position include: reviewing exterior lighting plans for coastal structures, participating in FWC's Wildlife Lighting Program Certification Team and providing outreach about lighting to people within and outside of agency. 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.

Specific responsibilities of the position include:

• Review, evaluate, and approve lighting plans for coastal construction for state authorizations; participate in pre construction meetings, pre- and post-construction inspections and meetings with agency and property/project representatives;
• Develop and improve the agency's light management recommendations; create and present educational and training workshops for internal and external audiences;
• Research and evaluate existing and emerging lighting technologies to maintain expertise in wildlife lighting issues;
• Provide technical assistance to other FWC Sections, as well as to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Port Authorities, and county/city governments;
• Participate in all aspects of the Wildlife Lighting Certification Program, including wildlife lighting certification program fixture testing, coordination with lighting manufacturers, and maintenance of certification webpages and databases;
• Initiate, manage or attend meetings, workshops, and create/deliver presentations;
• Assist with management of the Agency's Project Tracking System;
• Draft biological opinions for 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);
• Assist with Section information and outreach projects;
• Assist with field activities (e.g., marine turtle stranding, ground truthing, hatch success evaluations, nourishment research).
• Perform other duties as directed

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.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.