Jessica Valek followed a passion for marine biology from a small town in Minnesota to Okaloosa County, where she now helps protect and study the natural resources that make this area so special. Since moving to Florida in 2014, she has built a career rooted in science, conservation, and community education.

• Today, Jessica serves as Coastal Resources Manager for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources Team while also leading the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol.

Her days can begin before sunrise on the beach and end with outreach events, field research, reef projects, or data reporting — proof that no two days in her world are ever the same.

Are you a life-long local, if not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?

I am originally from a small town in Minnesota. I moved down to Florida in 2014 following my passion to become a marine biologist. I started going to college in MN and transferred down to UWF to get a degree in marine biology.

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

Coastal Resources Manager for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources Team – I also lead and manage the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol

What’s your morning routine?

During sea turtle nesting season, which is May through October, I am waking up around 4-4:30 a.m. to get ready for morning sea turtle patrol. I get up, throw my hair up in a bun or under a hat, put my turtle patrol clothes on, brush my teeth, and get my morning caffeinated drink ready and head out to turtle patrol! If I don’t have any meetings or other work obligations once I am finished with patrol, I will grab some breakfast and coffee, feed my dogs (Jim and Luna) and get ready for the work day. During the off season, my mornings look very different. Each day is different, depending on what we have to do for that day. If it’s just a day in the office, I wake up and get ready for work, feed my dogs, and pack up a quick breakfast to take to work with me. If it’s a field day, I will get my gear together (dive gear, survey equipment, etc. – you never know what the day is going to bring) and food for the day and head out!

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

Every single day is totally different. I have plenty of office days where I’m working on different reports, schedules, event planning, turtle outreach, social media management, grant proposal writing, meetings, etc.

During the nesting season, I will be out on the beach first thing in the morning for sea turtle patrol and then there’s no telling where the day will take me! Some days I will be jumping on a boat for an artificial reef deployment or a lionfish sample. Other days we are going out in the field for one of our fish tagging projects (devil rays, tiger sharks, sea turtles, terrapins, etc.). I may be going out for a terrapin survey if the weather is cooperating. I may also be working with a local organization on a multitude of different projects (CBA, Gulfarium, Emerald Coast Science Center, etc.). Some days I have outreach events (CAREing for Turtles, sea turtle outreach table, outreach event, presentations, etc.).

Some days I’m dressing up as Tina the Turtle.. My days and schedule are always unpredictable and you never know what the day is going to bring! But I absolutely love being able to work this way and love whatever adventure comes my way!

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?

If I’m in the office, I will get on my computer and check my email and figure out what I have on the agenda for that day. But, field days are completely different and are all dependent on what we have to do that day!

During the nesting season, I will arrive to which ever beach I am surveying and get all of our survey materials loaded up into the vehicle and once we are ready, we will hit the beach! If I’m alone on survey, I always make sure to get some heavy music playing in my headphones to wake me up.

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

I’m not sure if this counts, but podcasts and music. I am not a person who can sit in any sort of silence. I need some sort of noise going on almost always. If I am alone, I will always have a podcast or music playing. I love any sort of true crime podcast.

I also have a heater in my office because I’m always cold… It’s almost always on when I’m in the office, even in the summer.. I would not survive in the office if I didn’t have it..

Apple or Android?

Apple

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

A hot or iced vanilla latte – depends on the season!

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Sax Grille in Fort Walton and The Local Market in Destin

What’s one local business you love supporting?

I love my local dive shop, ScubaTech of Destin and the Destin Brewery

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Do all the things and meet all the people. Go on all the trips and get all the experience. The people that we meet and the experiences that we have are so much more valuable and important than you’ll realize.

How do you unwind after a long day?

I’ll take the dogs on a nice long walk if the weather is nice. I really enjoy being outside.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

I am a Big with Big Brothers Big Sisters – I have been matched with my Little for a few years now, but have been involved in the program for almost ten years. I also sit on the BBBS Board for Okaloosa and Walton Counties.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

I love a farmer’s market or arts market with products from local businesses. I also love the beach and the water – not really an event or tradition, though..

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

Sea turtle nesting season is about to start and I am really excited to get back out on the beach! The sunrise never ever gets old, no matter how many times I see it.

I’m excited to expand on our outreach efforts and spread our messaging and awareness about our sea turtles. We recently received grant funding to improve on our sea turtle education and outreach messaging and I am very excited to get that started! I also just love being able to educate people and get them excited about the things that I am passionate about.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird

Most used emoji?

Turtle – duh

Music while working — yes or no? (and if yes, what’s on your playlist?)

While working, yes but only background music without words. I get too distracted by lyrics in my music.

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

Sitting, but, I’m at my desk maybe 40% of the time. There’s always something going on!

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

Do all the things and meet all the people. The more you can get involved and put yourself out there, the more experience you will get and the more people you will meet. You never know which person is going to be that “in” that you’re needing. Marine biology is a lot of work, but it is so worth it when you find that job that you enjoy doing every day. Never say no to an opportunity, even if it’s not quite what you’re interested in.

Are you a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce?

Because I work for the TDD, we are invited to the FWB Chamber breakfasts every month and I always try to attend them. I love being able to network with everyone, meet new people, and learn about the local business and events. It’s also a great way for me to connect with new people to help expand on our sea turtle conservation efforts.