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
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
With cc to: Kathryn.Chumbley@noaa.gov