Aerial Survey Research Assistant SUMMARY Participate in aerial surveys for whales, dolphins and sea turtles in outer continental shelf federal waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island, an area proposed for offshore alternative energy development. Duties will include serving as an observer on all aerial surveys; quality checking data; coordination with the chief scientist and flight crew; and analysis of vertical photographs for the detection and identification of marine mammal and turtle species. The majority of field work will be aerial, although there may be opportunities to get involved in shipboard surveys with collaborators depending on contract opportunities. **This is a grant funded staff position with at least 16 months of staffing provided. Additional service may be afforded only if additional grant funding is secured. **Hiring for this position is dependent on successful receipt of funding. SCHEDULE Office schedule will be Monday -- Friday, 9:00 AM -- 5:00 PM. Flight days will require irregular hours and some long days. Occasional weekends and holidays will be required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Participates in all aerial survey activities, including observer logistics, scientific data collection, monthly reporting, photographic and data analysis, and assistance with monthly reports and final annual report writing as needed. 2. Survey safety equipment and camera maintenance, preparation and in-flight troubleshooting as needed. 3. Follow safe operational requirements for every survey area, maintains flight and data logs, and assists data quality checking and assurance, assists summarizing data and reports. 4. Photo-analysis of digital imagery for species detection and identifications, data processing and analysis as needed. 5. Performs other position-related duties, as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Training and Experience * A B.A. or B.S in Biology or related science required; M.S with comparable experience strongly preferred * 1+ year of experience with marine mammal aerial survey flight time * Participation in right whale, other large whale, and turtle aerial research programs * Handling large databases and performing quality checks * Photographic skills and photo-identification experience * Valid driver's license Knowledge, Skills and Abilities * Ability to maintain and purchase aerial survey equipment * Familiarity with digital photography equipment and field use * Computer skills, especially Microsoft Excel, Access & Word * Good communication and coordination skills * Meeting deadlines for data and report deliverables * Attention to detail for proofing and quality checking data * Ability to spend long hours performing photo analysis in the office * Comfortable flying in a small aircraft (Can't get motion sickness) For more information and to apply online please visit: http://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/ New England Aquarium is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC ***Please complete application by Friday December 16th. For more information, please contact Mike Deedy, Employment & Training Specialist (mdeedy@neaq.org<mailto:mdeedy@neaq.org>) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Chief Scientist, Marine Mammal Surveys SUMMARY Perform duties as chief scientist for aerial surveys, which includes supervision and participation in aerial surveys for whales, dolphins and sea turtles in outer continental shelf federal waters off Massachusetts and Rhode Island, an area proposed for offshore alternative energy development. Scientific duties will include survey design, statistical analysis of survey data, report writing, proposal writing, and publishing in peer reviewed scientific journals. Management duties will include supervising aerial surveys; quality checking data, reports and budgets; coordination with flight crew, administrators, and associated scientists; handling budgets; presenting work to stakeholders and funding agencies; serving as point liaison with funding agency project managers. The initial field work involves only aerial surveys. There will be opportunities to expand the program to include additional aerial and shipboard surveys in response to funding opportunities. **This is a grant funded staff position with at least 16 months of staffing provided. Additional service may be afforded only if additional grant funding is secured. **Hiring for this position is dependent on successful receipt of funding. SCHEDULE Office schedule will be Monday -- Friday, 9:00 AM -- 5:00 PM. Flight days will require irregular hours and some long days. Occasional weekends and holidays will be required. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Provides scientific guidance for all aerial survey functions, including management of field teams, oversight of safety and scientific protocols, and maintenance of equipment. Responsible for survey design, statistical analysis, report writing, and publishing scientific papers. 2. Supervises all aerial survey activities, including observer logistics, scientific data collection, , photographic and data analysis, and final annual report writing. 3. Oversee budgeting and spending for the program. This includes but is not limited to: budget creation for large, multi-year project; oversee all program and project spending and purchasing; perform monthly and annual budget projections; act as point of contact for vendors; book travel; produce expense reports; work closely with the Sponsored Programs and Finance team. 4. Together with the VP, helps expand program through proposal and contract development, survey design, and successful partnering with other research institutions, aerial survey and imaging companies, non-profits, and State and Federal agencies. 5. Monitors subcontractor activity, maintains flight and data logs, oversees data quality checking and assurance, submits proofed data and reports, and serves as point liaison with contracting office. 6. Attends meetings and presentations, and liaises with relevant state and federal agencies. 7. Performs other position-related duties, as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Training and Experience * 5+ years of marine mammal aerial survey flight time required. * Minimum of M.S with 5+ years of related experience required; PhD. in Biology or related science strongly preferred. * Extensive previous participation in right whale, other large whale, and turtle research programs * Previous supervisory experience of a field team * Experience writing successful research proposals. * Experience adhering to safety standards for surveys. * Experience handling large multi-year budgets. * Experience handling large databases and performing quality checks. * Photographic skills and photo-identification experience. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities * Fundraising through proposals, responding to federal and foundation opportunities * Seeking and applying for new funding opportunities * Maintaining and purchasing photographic and aerial survey equipment * Managing sub-contracts with collaborators or vendors * Meeting deadlines for contractual obligations, data and report deliverables * Must have strong oral and written communication skills in order to disseminate research findings * Statistical skills, especially in survey design and analysis and report writing For more information and to apply online please visit: http://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/ New England Aquarium is committed to diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC. ***Please complete application by Friday December 16th. For more information, please contact Mike Deedy, Employment & Training Specialist (mdeedy@neaq.org<mailto:mdeedy@neaq.org>) Mike Deedy Employment & Training Specialist New England Aquarium Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110 617.226.2115 mdeedy@neaq.org<mailto:mdeedy@neaq.org> [NEAq_logo (2)]
