Fisheries Data & Field Coordination Specialist

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking Fisheries Research and Harvesting Systems Coordinators to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Fisheries Assessment, Technology & Engineering Support (FATES) Division. These proposed roles will coordinate fisheries research and field activities, support research data management and analysis, and provide fishing gear outreach and technical assistance.
Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award.

SEFSC supports fisheries research across the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. The FATES Harvesting Systems Branch develops and supports fishing gear, research gear, field methods, and vessel systems that enable safe and effective fisheries science and promote sustainable commercial and recreational fisheries.

• Serve as project coordinator and field coordinator for Harvesting Unit research activities.
• Participate in field research and serve as a research data collector as required.
• Enter, edit, organize, and archive fisheries research data.
• Develop databases for archiving research data.
• Conduct data analyses and prepare summaries, reports, publications, presentations, and research proposals.
• Organize and conduct workshops and training sessions for commercial fishers on the proper use of federally required fishing gear.
• Provide outreach through planned workshops, industry meetings, and dockside visits.
• Serve as a Turtle Excluder Device gear expert during verification and outreach visits, including potential travel to foreign countries with NOAA and Department of State personnel.
• Prepare for and participate in scientific meetings, workshops, symposiums, and public forums.
• Provide intermittent field support for Pascagoula Laboratory projects, including gear technology assistance, data collection, and small boat operations.
• Coordinate the South Atlantic Deepwater Longline Survey, including coordination with fisheries management councils, NOAA offices, state agencies, contracted fishers, permitting authorities, and scientific observers.
• Support day-to-day survey project management.
• Prepare required quarterly reports, event summaries, abstracts, presentations, and other deliverables.

• A Ph.D. in biology or a related science, or a master’s degree in biology or a related science and five years of experience in fish biology, marine biology, oceanography, ecology, or a related field.
• Knowledge of commercial fishing gear used in the Southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, including trawls, gillnets, seines, and longlines.
• Knowledge of biological concepts, principles, and methodologies sufficient to independently perform scientific tasks using standard methods and techniques.
• Proficiency using fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification books and keys.
• Experience with common word-processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs.
• Documented experience with statistical or quantitative analysis, data management, and fisheries environmental sampling technology.
• Experience serving as the lead data collector for field projects.
• Ability to prepare college-level reports and deliver oral presentations.
• Ability to comply with NOAA Small Boat Operating Procedures.
• A valid driver’s license to operate a government vehicle.

• Knowledge of selective fishing methods and technology used in commercial fisheries.
• Working knowledge of commercial fishing gear construction, repair, and operation, including nets, traps, and stationary-set gear.
• Experience conducting public outreach events and public speaking.

The position is based in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and includes laboratory, office, field, dockside, small boat, and fisheries-industry settings. Work may involve support aboard small boats and participation in fisheries research activities. Domestic and international travel may be required for training, outreach, scientific meetings, and Turtle Excluder Device verification…