Aerial Survey Flight Coordinator 

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) is seeking an aerial survey coordinator and observer for our Right Whale Ecology Program (RWEP). The CCS RWEP surveys Cape Cod Bay and adjacent waters in Fall, Winter and Spring months to assess the abundance, distribution, and behavior of North Atlantic Right Whales in Gulf of Maine waters. Start date for this position is on or near August 15, 2023. This is a full-time salaried position with benefits for one year, contingent upon funding for an extension.  The position requires aerial survey fieldwork and the supervision of the department’s observers. Rate of pay is $50k-$60k and is commensurate with experience.  

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Participating in aerial surveys for right whales. Responsibilities include visually scanning for marine mammals, vessels, and gear from a small aircraft at low altitudes, recording sightings data on custom computer software, and photographing whales for individual identification using a digital SLR camera with a telephoto lens; 
• Managing flight hour budget and scheduling flight crew to survey within forecasted weather parameters; 
• Work closely with aircraft provider and CCS aerial survey team to schedule surveys and observer crews, respond to the needs of management agencies and colleagues; 
• Processing survey and photographic data. Data processing duties include QA/QC of aerial and shipboard sightings and effort data, accurate and timely completion of summary spreadsheets and survey reports, preliminary matching of right whale individual identification images, and maintenance of data processing programs and databases; 
• Supporting management needs: Duties include coordinating research activities with collaborating researchers, analyzing data and preparing presentations for funders, public, and at stakeholder meetings;  
• Additional duties may include assisting with whale carcass relocation and supporting disentanglement efforts; 
• Public outreach. Duties include assisting with public education and outreach activities and writing field notes for inclusion across CCS website and social media platforms. 

Qualifications and Skills: 

• Masters preferred or a B.A. or B.S. in Biology, Ecology, Fisheries Science or related field with 3-5 years of experience; 
• Minimum one-year experience working on right whale or related aerial survey projects; 
• Experience in photo-identification of marine mammals and matching individuals to a catalog;  
• Demonstrated skill in identifying North Atlantic marine mammals and familiarity with marine mammal visual survey data collection and processing methods; 
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and strict timelines. Must have a precise attention to detail; 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including preparing visual presentations for a variety of technical, scientific, and general public audiences; 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team; 
• US citizenship;  
• Aircraft underwater egress training is desired but not required; however, ditch training with the use of compressed air will be required to conduct the work and is a part of CCS Right Whale training; 
• SQL and R programming skills desired.  
  
   
  
  Application process: 
  
  Please submit cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three professional references in a single pdf and attached along with copies of college transcripts via email to chudak@coastalstudies.org.  Please use “RWEP Flight Coordinator” in the subject line of your email. The closing date for applications is June 30, 2023 however applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  
  
  The Center for Coastal Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.   
  
  Diversity of opinions, experience and backgrounds is a key asset.