Biological Scientist IV – Manatee Management Program

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Position: Full-time, Career Service
Salary: $1,945.56 biweekly + benefits
Application Deadline: August 30, 2026

Help Protect Florida's Manatees

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Imperiled Species Management Section is seeking an experienced biologist to join our Manatee Management Program in Tallahassee.

This position provides an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of wildlife conservation, science, policy, and stakeholder engagement to help protect Florida's manatee population. The position works closely with federal, state, and local government partners, researchers, municipalities, and other stakeholders on issues affecting manatees and their habitat.

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the development and implementation of Manatee Protection Plans and boat-facility siting plans, while also helping address manatee mortality associated with water-control structures and navigational locks.

What You'll Do

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, review, and update county-specific Manatee Protection Plans (MPPs) and boat-facility siting plans.
• Coordinate MPP development and implementation with FWC leadership, federal agencies, local governments, and other partners.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on boat-facility siting and provide biological expertise during environmental permit reviews.
• Coordinate and analyze biological and management data used to develop and implement Manatee Protection Plans.
• Maintain information related to MPP development, county agreements, and boat-slip inventories.
• Lead FWC's water-control structure and navigational lock program, including working with partners to develop manatee protection measures and identify opportunities to retrofit structures.
• Coordinate responses to manatee entrapment incidents involving water-control structures and work with municipalities, researchers, and other partners on potential solutions.
• Develop maps, data summaries, and other analytical products using ArcGIS, Google Earth, Excel, and related tools.
• Represent FWC at governmental, public, stakeholder, administrative, and Commission meetings.
• Participate in statewide field and site visits related to Manatee Protection Plans and water-control structures.
• Participate in manatee habitat restoration, necropsies, carcass recovery, and other field activities as needed.
• Support outreach, webpage development, and other Section activities.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a biologist who combines strong scientific and analytical skills with excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with Florida manatee management or research.
• Experience with state or federal environmental regulatory programs.
• Experience developing or implementing wildlife management plans.
• Experience leading or coordinating professional working groups, teams, or multi-agency projects.
• Knowledge of wildlife resource management, biological sciences, and natural resource policy.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting biological data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical information to diverse audiences.
• Experience with GIS and spatial data management.

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, collaborative, and comfortable working independently on complex conservation issues.

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma and seven years of professional experience in a closely related biological field or laboratory program are required. A relevant bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of the required experience, or a master's degree in a biological science may substitute for the educational requirement when combined with two years of professional experience.

A valid driver's license and ability to participate in periodic statewide travel are required. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Why Join FWC?

This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to statewide manatee conservation and management, working with a diverse network of conservation organizations, local governments, researchers, state and federal agencies, and other partners.

You'll be joining a team dedicated to using science-informed decision-making, collaboration, and innovative management approaches to conserve Florida's imperiled species and their habitats.