Position: Stranding Network Coordinator & Data Specialist Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, USA The Whale Museum is seeking a person to fulfill the role of Stranding Network Coordinator & Data Specialist. This is a year-round, full-time salaried position with benefits. Established in 1979 as the first U.S. museum dedicated to whales living in the wild, The Whale Museum's mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. Our facility is located on San Juan Island, northwest of Seattle, Washington. This remote island is accessible only by ferry, boat or plane. This position works closely with the Executive Director as the Stranding Network Coordinator & Data Specialist to manage several databases and to coordinate the efforts of the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network. This position's primary responsibilities are: coordinating responses for live and dead stranded marine mammals, managing the necropsy program including maintenance of equipment and supplies, archiving tissue samples and shipping samples for testing, annual grant writing, and managing the lab space. The successful candidate will also be the primary vessel operator for our stranding boat, the R/V Buzzard. The main field season for the Stranding Network is between June and September, but responses can occur anytime throughout the year. This position also trains and supervises a volunteer network of approximately 60 people, mentors 2-3 seasonal interns, oversees grant management and routinely moves marine mammals or other items in excess of 50 pounds. During the off-season (Oct-May), a large portion of this job is computer-based, primarily data entry and analysis, database management, and writing. The successful candidate will be highly flexible as response work can occur any time, day or night. This position manages the long-term scientific data that supports the research and provides the substance for education programs and exhibits. Current projects focus on: managing 40 years of marine mammal stranding data; analyzing 30+ years of historical passive acoustics monitoring data; conducting aerial flight surveys to develop a harbor seal pupping index; and assisting with the data entry of a 40+ year sightings database used to track Southern Resident killer whale's movement patterns. Partnerships with other organizations and researchers are critical to our work. Current partnerships include, but are not limited to: NOAA-Northwest Region, SeaDoc Society, SMRU Consulting, and John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program. Qualifications: a Master's Degree or 3 years' experience in a relevant field, excellent communication skills (oral and written), excellent attention to detail, excellent computer/technological skills (i.e., Microsoft Office particularly Access & Excel, ARC-GIS mapping), grant writing, experience with field work (specifically Stranding Network field response and necropsies), experience with conflict resolution & public communication, and project management experience. Boating experience with Washington State Boater Education Card is required. Must have a Basic Open Water scuba diving certification with at least 15 dives logged in the Salish Sea (to manage osteological preparations and assist partnering organizations with relevant projects). Acoustic data analysis experience is not required, but preferred. A varied skill set and flexibility are major assets. The position will start June 1st with the opportunity for a brief training period with the outgoing employee. Active review of submitted applications will begin immediately, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Electronic submissions are encouraged. It is suggested that a PDF compiled with the requested information be submitted. Send cover letter, resume and up to three references (either reference letter or contact information for each reference) to: Jenny L. Atkinson, Executive Director The Whale Museum P.O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 Email: jenny@whalemuseum.org <mailto:jenny@whalemuseum.org> Website: www.whalemuseum.org Jenny L. Atkinson Executive Director The Whale Museum P. O. Box 945 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (360) 378-4710 ext. 26 www.whalemuseum.org