Principal Jobs in Tallahassee, FL

Requisition No: 878327

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS Fisheries & Wildlife Bio Sci IV - 77907406

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 77907406

Salary: $24.32, per hour

Posting Closing Date: 08/21/2026

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Fish and Wildlife Research Institute – Center for Spatial Analysis

Fish and Wildlife Biological Scientist IV – OPS Position

$24.32 per hour

1875 E Orange Avenue

Tallahassee, FL

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute – Center for Spatial Analysis

Fish & Wildlife Biological Scientist IV - OPS 77907406

Tallahassee, Florida - $24.32 per hour

Our organization:

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates with the following qualifications: A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major courses of study in one of the biological sciences and three years of professional experience as described above or

A doctorate from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the biological sciences.

Requirements:

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory Level 1 background check at no cost to the candidate.

Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. Not eligible for Telework.

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

Serve as Principal Investigator on statewide land cover mapping project. Use remotely sensed, photo-interpreted and ground-mapped data to update and edit the existing Cooperative Land Cover - statewide map, including various aspects of data preparation, production, and validation. Use image processing software to classify medium resolution satellite imagery according to an established land cover classification schema. Compile classified data into a statewide data set.

Assist with FWC’s ArcGIS Enterprise deployment by managing configuration and development of ArcGIS Experience Builder applications for the Tallahassee CSA office, and assisting with ArcGIS Online, adding users, and licensing.

Evaluate and conduct additional improvements to the Cooperative Land Cover map, such as inclusion of qualitative measures for high priority communities. Consolidate and standardize. Develop user interface for access/use by staff and partners.

Responsible for coordinating and collaborating with Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) staff on edits and updates to the Florida Cooperative Land Cover (CLC) map. Coordinate with FNAI on review of semi-annual/annual updates of the CLC. Work with FWC and FNAI to modify the land classification schema as determined necessary.

Responsible for maintaining and responding to input received from a dedicated email address established for comments on the Cooperative Land Cover Map

Provide technical support to FWC biologists and external users regarding interpretation and use of the Cooperative Land Cover map and associated classification schema.

Perform public outreach, as appropriate, and other duties as assigned including supervising OPS staff for special land cover

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Principles and practices of wildlife and fisheries biology, statistical analysis, natural resource management, GIS, cartography, and digital remote sensing.

GIS database and application design, development and implementation.

Scientific research procedure and techniques.

Computer operations and the use of related software for GIS and Image processing. Principles and practices used in manipulating ecological and environmental data to create cartographic depictions of species distributions.

Ability to: Collect, record and analyze scientific data relating to biological sciences.

Plan & coordinate work assignments. Communicate effectively, orally, graphically, and in writing.

Establish and maintain working relationships with FWRI staff, FWC staff and other government agencies.

Travel out of area for several days at a time.

Skil in: Technical writing and public speaking.

The use and application of ArcGIS GIS software.

Spatial and relational database design and management.

Project management.

Cartographic design.

Ability to maintain a valid driver license.

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
*Eligible OPS positions and qualifying applicants may enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. .

Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly

Low Cost $25,000 Life Insurance

OPS FICA Alternative Retirement Plan

On the Job Trainings

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

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.