SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist, Levels II–III

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientists, Levels II–III to support NOAA Fisheries’ SEFSC, Population & Ecosystems Monitoring Division, and Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program. These proposed roles will support large-vessel groundfish trawl surveys, biological sample processing, fisheries data management and analysis, scientific reporting, and public outreach. *Hiring for these positions will be contingent on contract award.

These positions support SEFSC fishery-independent groundfish surveys and associated laboratory and analytical activities. Personnel will conduct field sampling, identify and process marine fish and invertebrates, manage survey data, and contribute to scientific products supporting fisheries research and assessment.

Responsibilities

Duties of the SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist will include the following:

• Participate in large-vessel groundfish trawl surveys and other resource surveys as needed.
• Serve as Survey Field Party Chief, Survey Watch Leader, or Survey Watch Stander, as assigned.
• Plan, coordinate, and provide logistical support for surveys.
• Prepare pre-cruise instructions and post-cruise reports when serving as Field Party Chief.
• Coordinate participant clearances, IT support, survey gear and equipment, vessel activities, personnel, vessel movements, and ports of call.
• Serve as liaison between ship and science teams when assigned.
• Conduct data and sample collection, logging, and processing under field conditions.
• Process trawl catches by sorting specimens to species and counting, weighing, sexing, and measuring specimens for estimation of relative abundance by species.
• Prepare, load, inventory, deploy, retrieve, unload, clean, and store survey equipment and gear.
• Perform QA/QC of survey data.
• Identify marine fishes and invertebrates in all life stages from trawl samples collected in the western central Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of America.
• Verify marine fish and invertebrate identifications using morphometric characteristics.
• Process finfish for life-history studies, including otolith removal, stomach removal and examination, and collection of tissue samples using clean techniques for subsequent analyses.
• Perform survey data entry, editing, verification, and updates.
• Maintain current knowledge of marine fish and invertebrate taxonomy and systematics.
• Participate in relevant taxonomic and identification workshops.
• Support data analyses and prepare data summaries.
• Assist with reports, publications, and presentations in accordance with SEFSC publication procedures.
• Support other Trawl and Plankton Branch, PEMD, and SEFSC surveys and research activities.
• Participate in public outreach and education.
• Prepare for and potentially present, facilitate, or participate in workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums.

 

 

Qualifications

The SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist should have the following:

Level II

• Master of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study; or
• Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus three years of relevant experience.

Level III

• Master of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus a minimum of five years of relevant experience; or
• Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus a minimum of ten years of relevant experience.

Essential qualifications for both levels include:

• Knowledge of basic concepts, principles, and methodologies of marine fisheries research sufficient to independently perform scientific tasks using standard methods and techniques.
• Proficiency identifying marine fish and invertebrates from the western central Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of America.
• Proficiency using fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification books and dichotomous keys.
• Computer literacy and experience with common word-processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs.
• Ability to prepare college-level reports and make oral presentations.
• Ability to meet NOAA sea-duty health requirements, including required NOAA Health Services and tuberculosis screening documentation and a current tetanus vaccination.

The ideal SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist will have the following:

• Experience as a lead data collector for field projects.
• Knowledge of fisheries techniques including otolith removal and processing, stomach con