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, 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. 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 and compensation.
Richard
Marasco
Ocean
Associates, Inc
With
cc to: Kathryn.Chumbley@noaa.gov