Fisheries Biologist Needed
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Integrated Statistics is looking for a Fishery Biologist to work in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). The Fishery Biologist will work with the Northeast Cooperative Research Branch, which brings fishermen and researchers together to develop and conduct projects that require the specialized knowledge of each partner. Results of this research promote better science and management for fisheries, as well as effective communication and collaboration among fishing professional in the region.
Duties
The Fishery Biologist participates in all phases of cooperative research, including the facilitation of industry and science partnerships, problem definition, planning, execution, and reporting of findings. The general areas of responsibility include:
- Providing technical support for fishermen participating in cooperative research projects.
- Performing laboratory and field-based studies to collect fisheries related data and samples.
- Processing fish and living marine resource specimens or samples for their use as biological data.
- Assisting with the maintenance of fishery related databases, including developing, entering, error-checking, auditing, or manipulating data.
- Producing data summaries and analyses, writing literature briefs if applicable, attending meetings as needed, and contributing to technical proposals, reports, and manuscripts.
- Presenting results at scientific and/or related meetings.
- Reviewing reports, products, and associated documents.
The Fishery Biologist's specific field/at sea duties include:
- Providing technical assistance at sea and ashore to coordinate training and equipment deployment aboard commercial vessels, troubleshoot electronic logbooks, collect data, and maintain scientific protocols that ensure that research results meet research objectives.
- Maintaining, servicing, and repairing laboratory and field equipment when necessary.
- Leading field teams to accomplish specific study objectives and implement appropriate scientific protocols.
- Participating in the observation, collection, sorting and processing of fish catch and environmental data.
- Working independently with little supervision to accomplish tasks.
The Fishery Biologist duties also include providing field support for all data collection and monitoring initiatives of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Cooperative Research Branch. Specific tasks include:
- Organizing and providing logistical support for industry participants in cooperative research and electronic reporting programs. The support tasks include recruitment with community leaders, program introductions, port visits to identify set-up requirements and constraints, equipment deployment and training, troubleshooting, data collection, and ongoing communication.
- Maintaining detailed records of equipment or software failures and efforts to provide solutions for recurrent problems or limitations.
- Participating in at-sea research cruises as necessary, including the Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey which runs for several weeks annually in April/May and October/November.
- Participating in industry meetings, scientific symposia, workshops and conferences in order to support and present cooperative research projects, and perform regular visits to fishing ports.
- Providing technical support for oceanographic and fisheries sampling, including CTD casts, plankton sampling, finfish and invertebrate sampling, associated biological sampling, cruise staging and destaging, supply and equipment preparation, age sample processing and sampling gear standardization.
- Assisting with data delivery and data management.
- Developing data summaries, visualizations, and reports.
- Assisting in developing outreach materials, including user manuals, troubleshooting guides, newsletters, and articles on Cooperative Research accomplishments, challenges and objectives.
- Supporting the management of cooperative research databases, including:
- Auditing and processing GPS, temperature, and fishing effort data
- Monitoring vessel participation in various projects
- Documenting problem data
Qualifications and Skills
The Fishery Biologist must possess these qualifications and skills:
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher, in a biological field directly related to fisheries.
- At least 2 years of work experience in the field or in a related area. Progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or master’s or equivalent graduate degree may be considered.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with members of the commercial fishing industry, including working at sea.
- Knowledge of and skill in applying concepts, principles, and methodologies of fisheries biology sufficient to independently perform research projects using standard methods and techniques.
- Experience working with scientific and fishery electronic data collection tools.
- Experience in identification, collection, sorting and processing of fish samples.
- Ability to work with and troubleshoot data collection hardware/software.
- Demonstrated ability to assist or lead field teams to accomplish specific study objectives and implement appropriate scientific protocols.
- Demonstrated experience with data manipulation, preferably in SQL.
- Experience working with complex (i.e. fisheries) data sets.
- Experience preparing technical and summary reports.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong ability to work closely with team members.
- Ability to work independently and to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
- CPR/First Aid and Safety-At-Sea training.
The position is full-time. The rate of pay is approximately $26/hr. Up to one week per month of travel may be required, from Maine to North Carolina. The position may potentially offer up to 2 days per week of telework, and may be based in either Narragansett, RI or Woods Hole, MA.
When you apply, upload a cover letter that details your experience and interest in the position. The letter should describe your experience with cooperative research and how it qualifies you for this position. If you have no cooperative research experience, describe other characteristics that you believe qualify you for this position. Describe your research experience and interest in fisheries science and management. Describe your computer/data and office experience.
Integrated Statistics is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with its obligations under federal law, Integrated Statistics is committed to taking affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, disabled individuals, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and other eligible veterans. For assistance with accessibility of applications, posters, forms, and/or documents, please email the Integrated Statistics office.
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