Biological Technician II and Field Research Leader II positions (May
13-Aug. 8, 2013)
NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fishery Science Center
National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Seattle, WA
Alaska Ecosystem Program/Steller sea lion field camps
Ocean Associates, Inc., a contractor for The National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), Alaska Fishery Science Center, is soliciting cover
letters and resumes for the upcoming 2013 field season to study the
western stock of endangered Steller sea lions (/Eumetopias jubatus/) in
Alaska. This work is part of a long-term annual population abundance and
survival monitoring program.
Duties include conducting counts, identifying individual sea lions by
tags, brands, and natural markings, and monitoring reproduction and
survival at remote field sites in Alaska.For general information about
the program, visit this website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/alaska
<http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/alaska/>
Employment will be from May 13-Aug 8, 2013.Between 1 and 6 new positions
will be contracted for the 2013 field season, contingent upon
funding.Compensation is provided (both regular and overtime
rates).Please contact Ocean Associates for compensation
information.Application information is listed below.
The first week of employment (May 13-18, 2012) is spent in Seattle
training.Attendance is mandatory and successful completion of training
is required for all field team members each season.Transportation to
Seattle and food and lodging in Seattle are not provided. Transportation
from Seattle to and from Alaska and the field site, food, and lodging in
the field are provided.Field teams are typically in Alaska for 8-10
weeks.Employment period ends at the end of the field season and there is
no additional work.
Field work is conducted by 2-4 member teams in remote camps located at
either Ugamak Island (eastern Aleutian Islands) or Marmot Island
(central Gulf of Alaska).All personnel are expected to perform daily
research duties as well as camp maintenance (chopping wood, hauling
water, cooking, compost toilet maintenance, etc.).Participants are
required to stay for the duration of the field season and there are no
crew changes.Field stations are remote, there are no other residents on
the islands, and outside communication is limited (no cell phone
coverage and no email).Researchers live in small shelters at the various
sites with no running water or electricity.Field stations are accessible
only by ship or helicopter.
Each camp is staffed with one field camp leader and 1-2 assistants.The
camp leader serves as the senior person in the camp and generally has
previous experience on this project.Field camp leaders are responsible
for field camp logistics and maintenance, ensuring that research goals
are met and that safety protocols are followed, ensuring that all data
is entered and edited during the season, ensuring the return of field
equipment and supplies, and producing an annual report at end of the
field season.Under the guidance of a field camp leader, field camp
assistants help with camp preparation, data collection, data entry and
editing, and field gear inventory and packing. All team members maintain
a safe working environment for field personnel, participate in daily
camp maintenance and operation, and assist with the return of field
equipment and supplies at the end of the season.
_Research Duties_:Research is conducted outdoors 7 days per week, often
in inclement weather.Temperatures at field sites can range from 35 to 85
degrees.Fog, wind, and rain are common, with occasional snow early in
the season.Candidates should be prepared to hike daily (> 5 miles) with
a large, heavy daypack, over rough and uneven terrain, steep slopes,
rocky ledges, and have no fear of heights or flying in
helicopters.Observation stations are located on the edge of cliffs or
overlooks above the sea lions.Observers will be expected to use
binoculars and spotting scopes for long periods of time and be able to
recognize markings or brands on sea lions./There is generally no animal
handling during field camp operations./Sea lions should be unaware of
the presence of biologists. Candidates should be in excellent physical
condition with no pre-existing health problems such as heart disease,
severe allergies, depression, debilitating asthma or other ailments that
will compromise their health, the health and safety of others in the
camp, or the completion of research duties.
_Minimum Qualifications_:Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have an
education in a biological science.A Bachelor's degree in biology or
related field with previous field experience is highly recommended.
Field work, employment, or life experience in very remote settings
particularly in Alaska or other cold, wet climate regions is
preferred.The ability to work well in a small team and independently,
with good communication and problem-solving skills is mandatory.Ability
to follow detailed verbal and written instructions and data protocols is
mandatory.Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word
processing, spreadsheets, and relational database programs such as
Access or SQL is highly recommended.
Current First Aid and CPR certification is required.Wilderness First Aid
is highly recommended and candidates will be given extra consideration
with this certification.
*_Application Deadline_: Feb. 22, 2013
*
Please submit a cover letter and resume with employment history,
education history, and the names and contact information (email and
phone numbers) of three work-related references to both contacts listed
below.Applicants not meeting qualification criteria or who submit
incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please contact Ocean Associates, Inc (employer) with questions regarding
eligibility, compensation, and application questions.
Richard Marasco
Ocean Associates, Inc
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
With cc to: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
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