Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Scientist Iii

Requisition No: 883372 Agency:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title:

FISHERIES & WILDLIFE BIO SCIENTIST III -  Pay Plan:
Career Service Position Number:  Salary: $45,000 Posting Closing Date: 09/24/2026

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.

• 6 years professional experience in a closely-related biological field or laboratory program is required.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the biological sciences and two years of professional biological experience in a field or laboratory program; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences and one year of professional experience as described above; or
• A doctorate from an accredited college or university in one of the biological sciences can substitute for the required experience.

• A Master of Science degree from an accredited college or university in life or physical science, preferably in the fisheries or aquaculture sciences.

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

Monday – Friday, 7 a.m.

- 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Flexible scheduling can be available. This position is not eligible for Telework.

This position requires occasional overnight travel and work time outside of regular scheduled hours depending on hatchery needs.

A cover letter is required.

The FWC’s Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management seeks self-motivated applicants who think innovatively and are passionate about aquaculture and aquatic biology for the benefit of conservation. As a Biological Scientist III (Fish Health Biologist) at the Florida Bass Conservation Center (FBCC), the successful candidate will work closely with a dedicated team to support fish culture practices to meet division and agency goals.

This position will lead fish health activity and assist with planning and implementation of intensive and extensive fish culture activities including culture of fry, fingerling, and sub-adult warmwater fish.

• Lead and conduct sampling and diagnostic evaluations of stocks for disease/parasite detection and control and crop evaluations to achieve production goals.
• Perform routine/scheduled necropsies and conduct health assessment and maintenance on hatchery-reared fish eggs, larvae, juveniles, sub-adults and adult brood stocks produced and maintained at Florida Bass Conservation Center (Richloam Fish Hatchery). Perform diagnostic investigations for parasites and bacteriological culture to identify other pathological conditions affecting cultured fish. Perform and/or supervise administration of all fish health medications, water treatments, and FDA approved prophylactic treatments.
  
  Perform fish health screening as specified by protocols specified in internal fish health policy on all cultured fish.
• Develop research protocols and conduct experiments to assess fish disease pathways in production system as a means to improve culture efficiency and survival. Work with federal and state agencies to evaluate efficacy of new/emerging therapeutic drug treatments, anaesthetics and non-chemical…