Biological Scientist III

This position serves as a subject matter expert about state management of Florida reef fish species and assists in the development of technical papers and presentations on Florida fisheries to support the Commission’s rulemaking process.  This position also develops and coordinates federal fisheries disaster response plans.

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible.  Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources.  Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida’s citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs.  When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent FWC point-of-view. 

• Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Comptroller’s rules and FWC’s invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures.
• Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines.  The Commission expects employees to function across FWC’s organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed.
• Assists Section Leader and Federal Fisheries Team as serving as a subject matter expert about state management of red snapper and other species.
• Gathers, synthesizes, and manages fisheries dependent and independent data necessary to characterize and assess the status of fisheries affecting Florida.
• Develops technical papers and presentations on management of various fisheries affecting Florida to guide and support the Commission’s rulemaking process.
• Participates in rulemaking process to help Commission build a record in support of their decisions.  Drafts supporting documents in coordination with legal staff.
• Helps senior staff develop advice to Commission on appropriate responses regarding federal fisheries topics.
• Coordinates with other state and federal agencies, universities, private marine-related institutions, and other groups or organizations with an interest in marine fisheries resources to assist federal fisheries section.
• Coordinates with commercial and recreational fishers and other stakeholders to identify and find solutions to federal fisheries management issues.
• Assist with the gathering and synthesizing of historical regulatory information to inform on-going and future rulemaking and management decisions. Research historical management actions and decisions in support of division and agency staff.
• Develop and coordinate fishery disaster response plans. Assist with initial disaster assessment and audit projects funded by federal fisheries disaster funds.
• Collect and submit data for fishery disaster declarations as well as disperse funds and oversee projects once the projects receive funding.
• Work with other state agencies, as well as with federal agencies to ensure responses to stakeholders are timely and effective.
• Coordinates research projects that are relevant to federal fisheries management decisions.
• Conducts public workshops, Advisory Board/Workgroup meetings, and other information gathering meetings on issues relating to Florida’s marine fisheries.
• Responds to public inquiries regarding marine fisheries issues.
• Provides support to Section leader, Deputy Director, and Division Director on special assignments as assigned.
• Performs other related work as required.