Electronic Monitoring (EM) Fisheries Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

*Position is Subject to Contract Award

*Work may be performed remotely or at NOAA facilities in Seattle, Washington or Newport, Oregon.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Electronic Monitoring (EM) Fisheries Specialist provides technical support to NOAA Fisheries' Fisheries Observation Science (FOS) Program, supporting both the Electronic Monitoring (EM) regulatory program and the Machine Learning Assisted Scientific Electronic Monitoring (ML EM) pilot program. The position focuses on reviewing commercial fishing video footage, validating fisheries data, supporting quality assurance activities, and collaborating with NOAA staff and third-party vendors to improve fisheries monitoring technologies.

This role is ideal for candidates with fisheries science experience who possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to accurately identify Pacific fish species using video imagery.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform secondary review of Electronic Monitoring (EM) video to verify fishing activity, species identification, and catch estimates submitted by third-party reviewers.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reviews and provide feedback regarding reviewer performance.
• Support NOAA's Machine Learning Assisted Electronic Monitoring (ML EM) pilot program.
• Develop Vessel Monitoring Plans (VMPs) for vessels participating in the ML EM pilot.
• Conduct primary and/or secondary review of EM video footage to:
  • Annotate fishing events
  • Identify fish species
  • Estimate fish lengths and weights
  • Document retained and discarded catch
• Maintain accurate video annotations and documentation.
• Prepare feedback reports and provide status updates to NOAA Fisheries staff.
• Coordinate and communicate with Electronic Monitoring service providers and ML EM pilot contractors.
• Assist NOAA staff in advancing fisheries monitoring technologies and improving data quality.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Science, Marine Biology, Natural Resources, or a related field; or
• Two (2) years of equivalent professional fisheries experience.
• Ability to successfully complete and pass a NOAA background investigation (processing may take approximately 60–90 days).
• Knowledge of fisheries monitoring and commercial fishing operations.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to accurately identify marine species from video imagery.
• Experience working independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with computer-based data management and video review applications.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly and professionally.

Preferred Qualifications:

Candidates with one or more of the following qualifications are highly desirable:

• Undergraduate coursework (20 or more science credits) demonstrating training in the scientific method and basic statistical methods.
• Experience using dichotomous keys for fish and invertebrate identification.
• Demonstrated experience identifying Pacific fish species.
• Previous experience as a fisheries observer aboard commercial fishing vessels on the U.S. West Coast.
• Experience reviewing Electronic Monitoring (EM) video.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.