Diadromous Fisheries Analyst – Passage and Assessment

Azura is seeking a Diadromous Fisheries Analyst to support the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Protected Species Division (PSD).

The Atlantic salmon population in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) is protected as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and is a top conservation priority for NOAA, requiring specialized assistance to implement critical plans and actions. This contract position will assist with implementation of four primary objectives:
1) developing, implementing, and evaluating a new Atlantic salmon marking and monitoring program on the Penobscot River;
2) assisting with activities related to a parentage analysis study using archived tissue samples to understand genetic contributions of wild versus hatchery origin individuals to annual adult returns;
3) analyzing archived smolt telemetry data to describe migration dynamics and support management thought the development of publication(s); and
4) provide general support for field activities, boat operations, maintenance, and meeting facilitation. The employee will work with the NEFSC and others, as appropriate, to advance progress under these objectives.

Having high attention to detail and the ability to manage short project timelines are critical skills for this position. Potential candidates must also possess the ability to manage a project to its completion, resulting in a peer-review manuscript, and identify and mine scientific publications for relevant information. Applicants must be able to operate independently, manage their own work schedule, and dedicate blocks of time for uninterrupted focus, while effectively working and communicating with collaborators to meet project objectives.

The place of performance is the Greater Orono or Bangor, Maine area. Work is full-time (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday) and expected to last approximately three years, with the possibility of extension. The estimated start date is October 1, 2026 (pending security investigation). Travel is anticipated to occur at least three times per year. This position is not open to visa sponsorship, relocation assistance, or remote work.

• Rate: $35.34/hour
• Competitive benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401k with employer match; life and disability insurance; and paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and company-observed holidays.

The employee will perform a variety of tasks to support this project.

• Under Objective 1, the employee will:
• work with identified collaborators to evaluate the current monitoring of stocking and adult returns on the Penobscot River while identifying key benefits limitations and current and future monitoring needs;
• based on the previous assessment, propose and analyze alternative monitoring methods, including detailed resource requirements and a pros/cons analysis for each;
• work with identified collaborators to facilitate discussions regarding feasibility, strategic alignment, and resource needs for proposed alternative methods;
• synthesize collaborator feedback and prepare detailed work plans, budgets, and operational considerations for the implementation of the preferred adoption(s); and
• work with identified collaborators to implement the preferred monitoring method.
• Under Objective 2, the employee will:
• inventory, organize, and catalog agency and partner tissue samples archives;
• generate a working summary database/spreadsheet to continue future inventory of samples collected; and
• provide support for transport of these samples for shipment to collaborators for analysis.
• Under Objective 3, the employee will:
• investigate archived agency telemetry datasets to understand data structure, metadata, and study objectives;
• identify datasets that have the potential to inform current management challenges and questions;
• use statistical packages to analyze selected datasets (e.g., estimate survival, migration dynamics); and
• lead the development of peer-reviewed publication(s).
• Under Objective 4, the employee will:
• assist with day-to-day field activities;
• participate in training required to be a NOAA small boat operator;
• assist with NOAA small…