Biological Technician II and Field Research Leader II positions (May 14-Aug. 8, 2012)

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 2012 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

Employment will be from May 14-Aug 8, 2012.  Between 1 and 6 new positions will be contracted for the 2012 field season.  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 14-19, 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, and 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, 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 (> 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. 24, 2012

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 and compensation.

Richard Marasco
Ocean Associates, Inc.
oarich.mar@gmail.com

With cc to: Kathryn.Chumbley@noaa.gov