The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) works with
the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center through a cooperative agreement with the University of Hawaii to conduct population assessment and recovery activities on Hawaiian monk seals. JIMAR hires program staff through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) and is currently seeking applicants for *two separate recruitments *for the 2021 field research season:
*HMSRP Field Camp Research Technician-serves as field camp leader*
*HMSRP Field Camp Research Assistant-serves as assistant to field camp leader*
Selected individuals will study the endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. This work is part of a long-term annual Hawaiian monk seal population monitoring and conservation program by NOAA Fisheries and includes: conducting trend counts, tagging seals, identifying individual seals by tags, scars, natural markings, and applied bleach marks, monitoring reproduction, survival, injuries, entanglements, migration, vaccinating against morbillivirus, performing necropsies, collecting scat & spew samples for food habitat, parasite load, and hormonal analysis, collecting tissue samples for DNA analysis, and removing debris capable of entangling seals and other wildlife. Behavior data are also collected at some sites. Researchers at some sites may participate in shark mitigation activities.
General information about the program can be found via the links below:
http://www.conservationcompass.org/index.php/career-guidance/fantastic-field...
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/hawaiian-monk-seal#science
The number of positions and/or continuation of the program are subject to funding and program needs. These positions will be for all or a subset of the 6 major monk seal sub-populations in the NWHI. Fieldwork is accomplished by 2-4 member teams consisting of a leader and one or more assistants in remote camps. Researchers live in either wall tents or buildings at the various sites. All sites are accessible by ship (2-8 day travel; 830-2,300 km from Honolulu), and one is also accessible by plane. Few (if any) resupply opportunities exist and communication with others outside of field sites is limited throughout deployment due to the remoteness and lack of infrastructure.
The employment period is expected to include approximately one month of training and packing in Honolulu. Once the field season is over, an additional ~1-2 weeks of employment may take place in Honolulu to clean up gear and summarize data. Dates are subject to change, but the positions may begin as early as late February/early March or April with a field deployment approximately 4-6 weeks after start dates. Field staff could be deployed for approximately 4.5-5 months with a tentative return date in early September. The position end date is expected to be 1-3 weeks upon return from the field. Applicants must be flexible in their availability as dates could change, including unforeseen delays such as inclement weather or other hip delays.
Travel to and from Honolulu and food, lodging, and transportation in Honolulu before deployment are not provided. Transportation between Honolulu and field sites and food and lodging costs during deployment and in the field are covered by the program. Due to unforeseen circumstances, departure delays could result in longer periods in Honolulu that may result in additional uncompensated living expenses.
Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien, and must be able to meet both the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements to access the work location, and also the health requirements to board a NOAA vessel.
Instructions to apply for both positions are in the job postings below. *You must clearly address all qualifications in your cover letter and resume. If you do not clearly address all qualifications, we may not be able to consider you as an applicant. *For example, to address the experience qualification, you must indicate in your cover letter how many years of field experience you have and be sure that is reflected in your resume.
Interested individuals will need to apply directly to RCUH Human Resources via one of the methods stated in the job posting. Applications for both positions must be submitted/received by the* closing date on 12/14/2020 (11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time receipt time). * If you do not have access to the RCUH system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-8344 or (808)956-0872. Follow the link below to access both recruitments. *If applying for both positions, you must do so separately. *
JIMAR/PIFSC HMSRP Field Camp Research Technician (leader) – search job ID # 220543
JIMAR/PIFSC HMSRP Field Camp Research Assistant - search Job ID #220542
https://hcmweb.rcuh.com/psc/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SC...
-- Lizabeth Kashinsky (she/her) *JIMAR Program Supervisor* Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program
*Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center *
NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce
1845 Wasp Blvd, Building 176 Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
Office: (808) 725-5719
Mobile: (808) 285-4578
www.fisheries.noaa.gov