Right Whale Aerial Team Leader

Job Description

Job Description

This position is dependent upon grant funding. The location is in a field house. The field houses are located in GA, NC, SC. The length of the position is based on the field house location. 

POSITION TITLE:  Right Whale Aerial Team Leader

REPORTS TO:  Right Whale Project Coordinator

SUPERVISES:  Right Whale Observers

EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT:  Non-Exempt, Temporary

PERCENTAGE OF FT WORK: 100%

LOCATION: Offsite

PERMANENT/TEMPORARY/SEASONAL: Temporary

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Participate in right whale aerial surveys in the southeastern U.S. coastal waters 
• Supervise aerial observers
• Communicate and coordinate daily aircraft support with aircraft vendor pilots, other Team Leaders and right whale research-based platforms 
• Coordinate survey flights in accordance with weather-related conditions, military training schedules and right whale migration pattern shifts
• Scheduling of staff
• Collect data and images on large whales (condition, behavior, associations, status, etc.), and location data on vessels and other species of interest
• Facilitate the transmittal of location information to the various communication networks, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, New England Aquarium, and NOAA
• Photograph sightings via digital photography with processing and matching those images following each flight
• Manage, analyze, and conduct quality control checks on aerial survey data and photographic images
• Facilitate the transmittal of data to managers and other appropriate agencies through weekly and final reports
• Present information to the scientific and public communities

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• International applicants must secure own visas or other required documentation
• Previous aerial or marine mammal survey experience
• Previous experience in photo-identification of large cetaceans preferred
• Strong administrative and supervisory skills are preferred
• Successful completion of aviation and marine safety and survival training upon hire
• Demonstrated proficiency in database entry and Microsoft Office programs
• Demonstrated ability with memorization skills
• Proven track record of attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to maintain open lines of communication 
• Ability to live and work well in a team environment is essential
• Expect to work on weekends and holidays

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Survey flights require continual focus with eyes and ears - daily
• Ability to work in a small aircraft up to eight hours - daily
• Ability to work while in close, confined spaces - daily
• Ability to work in extreme varying environmental conditions EX: humidity, heat, and rain - daily
• Strong tolerance to working on a continuous motion-based platform - daily
• Weekend and holiday work required - frequently
• COVID-19 vaccination – required

Please upload your cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information of three professional references during your application submission. Application deadline is August 21, 2026.

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required. 

All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.

A statement of “temporary” position is not a guarantee of employment. It simply means the role has a set end date (typically up to 1 year) and/or has deliverables to be met and if those deliverables are not met the position may be terminated. In Florida, employment is "at-will" by default, meaning either party can terminate the relationship at any time for any legal reason and as such continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. 

Clearwater Marine Aquarium participates in E-Verify, please view the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Notice of Right to Work.