The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) is a collaborative
partnership dedicated to dolphin research, conservation, and education.
The SDRP was started in 1970 through Mote Marine Laboratory when Blair
Irvine and high school student Randy Wells began a tagging study to find
out if dolphins in the Sarasota Bay area were residents or moved more
broadly -- it was the first systematic study of bottlenose dolphin
ranging patterns. Findings of multi-decadal, multi-generational
residency set the stage for the program to continue and develop into new
areas of research. Since 1989, the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) has
led the SDRP partnership, providing an administrative home for the
long-term program and support for ongoing program operations, including
the CZS employees who form the core program staff. Mote Marine
Laboratory, where our initial research was conducted during 1970-1971,
has provided a base of operations on Sarasota Bay and access to
laboratory facilities and infrastructure since 1992. The Program
Director since the late 1970's, Dr. Randall Wells, guided the SDRP from
a seasonal operation involving teams of volunteers to its current
year-round operations with a complement of full and part time staff, who
work with graduate students, interns, and volunteers. The Sarasota
Dolphin Research Program, conducting "the world's longest-running study
of a wild dolphin population", now is a pre-eminent international center
for research into the biology, behavior, ecology, health, and impacts of
human activities on dolphins in Sarasota Bay and elsewhere around the
world. http://sarasotadolphin.org
The Research Assistant -- Data Analyst assists the Senior Conservation
Scientist with the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP), primarily
with analysis of dolphin identification photographs in support of the
Society's mission and conservation science innovation and leadership.
The Research Assistant will perform analysis of digital photographs of
dolphin dorsal fins for identification of individual dolphins by
comparing the digitally stored images from field work performed by
research staff; matching fins to those in the digital master fin catalog
using the ACDSee program. This includes an accurate and expeditious
analytical processing of dorsal fin photographs that is crucial for
further use of the data by staff and collaborators and incorporation
into long-term databases as well as updates to data archives; preparing
reports and manuscripts as requested. The Research Assistant will
compile and maintain the Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Identification System
(GoMDIS) Gulf-wide bottlenose dolphin photographic identification
catalog, including obtaining, processing, and archiving data and images
provided on an ongoing basis from more than 20 collaborating scientists
from around the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, responsibilities include
managing collaboration work with NOAA and Duke/OBIS SEAMAP programming
staff, and SDRP staff including the Lab Manager; and, under the guidance
of the ID Cataloguer maintaining and upgrading the FinBase Access-based
databases and web interface for managing dolphin identification images
and associated data. You will also assist with dolphin health
assessments and rescues as necessary.
The requirements for the position include the following:
· Minimum B.A./B.S. in Biology, Marine Sciences or a related
field or equivalent combination of related training and/or experience
required.
· Minimum three (3) years experience in marine mammal individual
identification from photographs required.
· Basic computer skills required, with data entry experience in
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Access.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently and to prioritize
tasks as necessary required.
· Must be able to work independently as well as in a team.
· This position will involve work performed away from Brookfield
Zoo, in Sarasota, Florida.
· Typical average weekly work schedule is approximately 40 hours.
· Valid driver's license required. Must possess a valid Florida
license within 30 days of hire. Valid out-of-state license required for
out-of-state residents.
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The desirable/preferred qualifications include the following:
· Experience in data collection and coordination of data
collection by collaborating scientists.
· Experience with ACDSee strongly preferred.
· Knowledge of photography.
· Minimum of 1 year of FinBase software experience.
· Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively
with a diverse, multicultural audience. Multilingual ability, Spanish
fluency a plus.
The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity
Employer/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minorities / Women / Veterans /
Disabled.
If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the
CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply
by submitting your profile. Please visit our website at
*www.czs.org/careers* <http://www.czs.org/careers>. Please look for
requisition number 634BR.
--
Jason Allen
Lab Manager
Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
c/o Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236
Tel: 941.388.4441 ext. 452
Fax: 941.388.4223
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