Ocean Career: Azura Bycatch Analyst

Azura Consulting LLC is seeking a Bycatch Analyst to support the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Protected Species Division (PSD). The position supports protected species research and management through the analysis of fisheries bycatch data, including preparing annual bycatch estimates for marine mammals, conducting sea turtle and other protected species bycatch analyses, auditing fisheries data, and supporting observer allocation and management needs.

The analyst will work extensively with statistical analyses and existing R codebases and will prepare technical documentation and present findings to scientific and management audiences. This position may be based in the Woods Hole, MA area or remotely within the U.S. and is full-time (40 hours per week, Monday through Friday). It is expected to last one year, with the possibility of extension.

Azura Consulting LLC (Azura) is a woman-owned small business offering ‘big city’ resources with ‘small town’ customer service. Our primary consulting services are focused on natural resources, professional writing and editing, and educational outreach and communication. We are a diverse team of expert scientists, professional writers and editors, and informal educators who are passionate about our work and dedicated to our clients’ needs and employee satisfaction.

Through great attention to detail, and a bit of wit, we provide innovative solutions and high-quality products that empower our clients to meet their consulting needs. Azura is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. We strongly encourage all qualified persons to apply.

Azura is seeking a Bycatch Analyst to support the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Protected Species Division (PSD) which conducts research on protected species (cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea birds, marine turtles, and anadromous fish) that live or migrate off the coast of the northeastern United States (U.S.). This work requires professional knowledge of protected species and habitats and environmental compliance requirements related policies, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).

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. 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 employee will perform a variety of tasks related to the position. Specific tasks may include the following primary and secondary duties.

Primary:

• Prepare standard annual bycatch estimates of all species of small cetaceans and pinnipeds encountered in U.S. Atlantic gillnets and bottom trawls (and potentially other gear types) by using existing code and importing new data annually, including preparation of annual Center Reference Documents documenting the estimates and methods, and providing these analyses for incorporation into the annual marine mammal Stock Assessment Report.
• Prepare periodic estimates of sea turtle interactions with different gear types and prepare Center Reference Documents reporting the estimates and methods.
• Perform extensive auditing of fisheries data to support bycatch estimation.
• Conduct bycatch and other analyses needed to inform the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team (HPTRT)…