Full-Time
Fisheries Research Specialist Advanced
William & Mary
Compensation Overview
$55k/yr
Williamsburg, VA, USA
In Person
Category
 Biology & Biotech (1) |
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Required Skills
Python
SAS
R
MATLAB
Data Analysis
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, ecology, natural resource management, or the equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the position.
- Knowledge of recreational and commercial fisheries of the mid-Atlantic Bight and associated fishing gears used to conduct those fisheries.
- Ability to learn and execute various research protocols, including catch processing, gear monitoring and hydrographic and atmospheric data collection, among others.
- Working knowledge of laboratory and vessel safety procedures and processes, with the ability to implement laboratory procedures for a variety of experimental objectives.
- Strong analytical skills, with the demonstrated ability to analyze data and produce reports.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively as a collaborative team member.
- Experience with finfish and invertebrate identification.
- Experience using and maintaining research equipment.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to all elements of the life cycle of a research project from conception to completion.
- Contribute to the development and preparation of research proposals including literature searches, proposal writing and budget development.
- Contribute to development of field and laboratory research procedures.
- Participate and in some cases lead the execution of field-based research projects.
- Oversee the training of employees on safety protocols and procedures including instrumentation and calibration.
- Oversee and conduct sampling, data entry and management.
- Perform data analysis, as needed; Engage in computer programing (such as automating and analysis - R, MATLAB, Python, SAS, GIS, webpage, etc.) to analyze data and generate reports
- In collaboration with Principal Investigators, contribute to the development and preparation of research proposals including literature searches, proposal writing and budget development.
- In collaboration with Principal Investigators, contribute to development of field and laboratory research procedures.
- In collaboration with principal investigators, assure that research activities are in compliance with required protocols (e.g. safety, animal care).
- Contribute to the coordination of the research grant by tracking budget expenditures, compiling financial reports, and evaluating appropriateness of purchase order requests and supplies.
- Independently communicate with vendors to compile information for supervisor approval.
- In collaboration with Principal Investigators, arrange meetings and conferences with funders and stakeholders.
- Provide supervision, oversight and training to junior technical staff and students.
- Assist with data requests from outside organizations and agencies.
- Participate and in some cases lead at-sea field operations for fishery-independent surveys and other field work in accordance with high scientific standards following prescribed sampling protocols.
- Oversee the training of employees on safety protocols and procedures including instrumentation and calibration.
- Maintain and organize supplies, equipment and electronics used during field work and at the lab.
- Ensure supplies and equipment are transported to and from lab to various vessels.
- Ensure that equipment is cleaned, properly maintained, and stored in an appropriate manner after fieldwork is complete.
- Ensure equipment is in good working order, that data recording electronics are performing accurately and that supplies are sufficiently stocked.
- Communicate with PI and project scientist any equipment or supplies needs or issues.
- Working independently or with other members of the scientific staff, collaborate with the commercial crew during research cruises to meet sampling protocol and data collection requirements.
- Work with PI and project scientist to ensure that sampling protocols are appropriate and create new ones as needed as situations arise.
- Serve in the capacity of watch chief during field work.
- Lead the laboratory-based aspects of the research program by coordinating the processing and archiving of biological material collected during field work.
- Independently and in collaboration with Principal Investigators participate in the recording, management, analysis and presentation of collected data.
- Contribute to project deliverables including contract reports, manuscripts and presentations at professional conferences and meetings.
- Engage in outreach and extension with other research groups, stakeholders and/or the industry.
- Ensures that expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit.
- Provides staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate.
- Confirms that staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals.
- Verifies that the requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and completes evaluations by established deadlines with proper documentation.
- Addresses and documents performance issues as they occur.
- Reviews safety issues and communicates as appropriate to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, ecology or a closely related field.
- General understanding of offshore wind development and interactions between offshore wind and fisheries.
- Knowledge and experience with video analysis for applied fisheries research.
- Excellent technical writing skills, evidenced by presentation and/or publication record.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skills in ArcGIS or similar mapping software.
- Strong proficiency in a variety of software applications, to include Microsoft Office, as well as databases and web-based applications.
- Experience working cooperatively with the commercial and/or recreational fishing industry.
- Experience participating in fishery-independent resource assessment surveys in the Mid-Atlantic region (ex. NMFS trawl survey, NJDEP trawl survey, NEAMAP) or as state/federal fishery observer.
- Experience collecting and analyzing fishery-dependent data, fishery-independent data, and oceanographic data.
- Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping software.
- Experience with project management, data analysis, working in teams, working with minimal supervision in a field and lab setting.
- Experience with data management and statistical analysis, utilizing statistical software.