Job Description

Lynker Corporation is seeking SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientists, Levels II–III to support NOAA Fisheries’ SEFSC, Population & Ecosystems Monitoring Division, and Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program. These proposed roles will support large-vessel groundfish trawl surveys, biological sample processing, fisheries data management and analysis, scientific reporting, and public outreach. *Hiring for these positions will be contingent on contract award.

These positions support SEFSC fishery-independent groundfish surveys and associated laboratory and analytical activities. Personnel will conduct field sampling, identify and process marine fish and invertebrates, manage survey data, and contribute to scientific products supporting fisheries research and assessment.

Responsibilities

Duties of the SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist will include the following:

• Participate in large-vessel groundfish trawl surveys and other resource surveys as needed.
• Serve as Survey Field Party Chief, Survey Watch Leader, or Survey Watch Stander, as assigned.
• Plan, coordinate, and provide logistical support for surveys.
• Prepare pre-cruise instructions and post-cruise reports when serving as Field Party Chief.
• Coordinate participant clearances, IT support, survey gear and equipment, vessel activities, personnel, vessel movements, and ports of call.
• Serve as liaison between ship and science teams when assigned.
• Conduct data and sample collection, logging, and processing under field conditions.
• Process trawl catches by sorting specimens to species and counting, weighing, sexing, and measuring specimens for estimation of relative abundance by species.
• Prepare, load, inventory, deploy, retrieve, unload, clean, and store survey equipment and gear.
• Perform QA/QC of survey data.
• Identify marine fishes and invertebrates in all life stages from trawl samples collected in the western central Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of America.
• Verify marine fish and invertebrate identifications using morphometric characteristics.
• Process finfish for life-history studies, including otolith removal, stomach removal and examination, and collection of tissue samples using clean techniques for subsequent analyses.
• Perform survey data entry, editing, verification, and updates.
• Maintain current knowledge of marine fish and invertebrate taxonomy and systematics.
• Participate in relevant taxonomic and identification workshops.
• Support data analyses and prepare data summaries.
• Assist with reports, publications, and presentations in accordance with SEFSC publication procedures.
• Support other Trawl and Plankton Branch, PEMD, and SEFSC surveys and research activities.
• Participate in public outreach and education.
• Prepare for and potentially present, facilitate, or participate in workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums.

Qualifications

The SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist should have the following:

Level II

• Master of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study; or
• Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus three years of relevant experience.

Level III

• Master of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus a minimum of five years of relevant experience; or
• Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus a minimum of ten years of relevant experience.

Essential qualifications for both levels include:

• Knowledge of basic concepts, principles, and methodologies of marine fisheries research sufficient to independently perform scientific tasks using standard methods and techniques.
• Proficiency identifying marine fish and invertebrates from the western central Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of America.
• Proficiency using fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification books and dichotomous keys.
• Computer literacy and experience with common word-processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs.
• Ability to prepare college-level reports and make oral presentations.
• Ability to meet NOAA sea-duty health requirements, including required NOAA Health Services and tuberculosis screening documentation and a current tetanus vaccination.

The ideal SEAMAP Trawl Survey Scientist will have the following:

• Experience as a lead data collector for field projects.
• Knowledge of fisheries techniques including otolith removal and processing, stomach content analysis, and tissue sample collection.
• Knowledge of procedures required when encountering endangered or threatened species.
• Experience operating the Scientific Computing System.
• Knowledge of SEAMAP field sampling protocols for trawl surveys.
• Knowledge of statistical treatment of fisheries and oceanographic data.

Work Environment

The positions are based at the SEFSC Laboratory in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and include laboratory, office, NOAA ship, charter vessel, and small-boat environments. Work includes participation in large-vessel groundfish trawl surveys and associated handling and processing of biological samples and survey gear.

Facility access is generally available from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Nighttime, weekend, and overtime work may be required before, during, and immediately following at-sea surveys and other field-based efforts and must be authorized in accordance with contract requirements.

Domestic and international travel may be required for or in support of at-sea surveys, project-related workshops, and working group meetings.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws

*This position is not currently funded and is contingent upon contract award. Employment is subject to successful completion of any required background checks and security processing required by the customer.