Scientist, Marine Mammal Observer

~ Ocean Associates, Inc. (OAI), provides professional consulting services to government organizations, UN agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. OAI experts have carried out ocean and fisheries projects throughout the world. ~

Our experts couple diverse work experiences as scientists and senior managers with exceptional educational backgrounds and contacts throughout the United States and the globe. Many of these contacts are highly skilled scientists and administrators that can be brought into an assignment, as necessary, to augment OAI expertise.

Position Overview

Ocean Associates, Inc. is seeking a Scientist to provide field support to the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), in La Jolla, CA. OAI provides personnel support services on contract to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species. This position will provide scientific support to assist in field data collection during the 2018 California Current Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey (CalCurCEAS) and post-survey acoustic analysis.  

This survey is being conducted to estimate the abundance and understand factors that affect the distribution of cetaceans and seabirds that are commonly found in the California Current Ecosystem.  This is an excellent opportunity for a person with a marine mammal background to contribute to cetacean population estimates on the U.S. West Coast.

This position will primarily participate in the collection of cetacean survey effort data.  It may also assist with the collection of tissue samples and identification photographs of encountered cetacean groups and deployment of satellite tags on select species. The survey will use passive acoustic monitoring techniques to investigate behavior, distribution and population size of cetaceans. An acoustic technician will work from shore to analyze acoustic data from data collected aboard the ship.

The survey will be conducted on NOAA ShipReuben Lasker. Survey aboard NOAA Ship Lasker is currently scheduled to begin in June 2018 in San Diego, CA and is anticipated to end in December 2018. 

The start dates, as well as survey duration, are subject to change. The survey is expected to span 140 days over 7 legs, each separated by 3 to 7 days in port. The survey will include the territorial waters of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. 

Responsibilities

• Assist in the identification of marine mammals, mapping distribution and abundance of species and the production of dataset reports for the survey. 
• Record sighting information data for each cetacean sighting initiated by the observer on a daily basis. 
• Obtain photographs or biopsy samples collected or handled by the observer. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university in a related field of study with emphasis in fisheries, oceanography, social science, natural science, mathematics, or hydrology, plus four (4) years of experience in related field or combination of such totaling eight (8) years combined education/experience.
• Master’s Degree in related field or Ph.D. may be substituted for experience. 

Additional required qualifications include:

• At least 8 months cumulative line-transect survey experience working as a cetacean observer identifying marine mammals to species level aboard large (>150 ft) research vessels. 
• Ability to stand watch up to 9-hours per day including prolonged searching (up to 40 minutes at a time) using 25 power big-eye binoculars. 
• Knowledge of cetacean biology and taxonomy. 
• Knowledge and experience with line-transect methodologies. 
• Skill in identifying Pacific temperate and subtropical cetaceans to species level from distance (several km) at sea. 
• Experience preparing datasets and scientific reports on cetaceans.  

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Experience collecting and processing marine mammal biopsy samples or taking and archiving digital photographs of marine mammals. 
• Demonstrated experience estimating group size as part of cetacean surveys, supporting an ability to accurately estimate group size.   

In order to sail, employees must:

• Have medical insurance. 
• Be medically cleared to sail aboard NOAA vessels 30 days prior to cruise departure. 
• Obtain Visa Cooperante from Mexican government to work in Mexican waters. 

Compensation: This is a temporary hourly position, with significant overtime and generous employee benefits.  Salary commensurate with experience. 

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload the following documents in PDF form:

• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references.

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify.  

~ In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. ~