Field Party Chief & Component Lead II -- Mesophotic Deep Benthic Communities Survey

Job Description

Job Description

*Position is Subject to Contract Award*Onsite Position in SEFSC Laboratory or at Sea in Panama City, FL Position Overview SEFSC-PEMD personnel are critical collaborators in restoration work responding to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, surveying mesophotic and deep benthic reef communities (50–1,800 m) via ROV/AUV platforms, acoustic mapping, and ground-truthing. This role serves as Field Party Chief and Survey Watch Stander for MDBC surveys and participates in other PEMD resource surveys as requested. Key Responsibilities Task #1 - Survey DutiesAssisting MDBC Project Management Leads with survey preparation, execution, and completion, including schedules, supply/equipment coordination, and selection of survey vehicles (e.g., AUV).Writing cruise instructions and reports on time; following through on participant clearance paperwork.Knowledgeable in MDBC data-collection SOPs; executing at-sea mapping and ground-truthing missions as Field Party Chief or Watch Leader.Pre- and post-survey inventory and maintenance of equipment and gear.Coordinating daily vessel activities, personnel, vessel position/movements, ports of call, and weather/sea conditions.Conducting data collection and sampling per prescribed MDBC SOP.Reporting weekly progress (or issues requiring plan changes) to MDBC Project Leads.Completing incident reporting procedures per NOAA Small Boat Program requirements (small boat operations only).Task #2 - Laboratory DutiesRequires subject-matter expertise and leadership on a component of the MDBC survey, including but not limited to:Subject-matter expert identifying marine fishes in all life stages from mesophotic and deep reef habitats.Video annotation, review, and data QA/QC of ROV-based footage; review of data entry.Management of review/tracking sheets; updating project management and annotation tracking tools.Task #3 - Data Management SupportLeading an aspect of data projects as subject-matter expert (e.g., data applications) on MDBC databases, including but not limited to:Coordinating with NCEI and NCCOS Biogeography Branch to integrate existing bathymetric data (U.S. EEZ Gulf of Mexico, 50–1,800 m).Helping manage the MDBC database, applications, and survey SOP (including metadata).Managing data backups/security with OMI personnel.Integrating new automated data outputs to meet AI/ML interoperability standards.Managing video data annotation entry projects and maintaining project management tools.Task #4 - Analytical SupportCollating existing biological data and mining acoustic/bathymetric data for mesophotic and deep benthic reefs in the U.S. Gulf of America EEZ.Maintaining knowledge of relevant literature; supporting data analyses and summaries.Maintaining project management tool updates.Developing data reports and presentations; assisting with manuscripts per SEFSC publication procedures.Coordinating abstracts, presentations, and publications.Attending professional meetings and publishing in peer-reviewed literature.Task #5 - Outreach & EducationParticipate in public outreach and education efforts, e.g., school programs, science fair judging, facility/ship tours, and outreach booths.Task #6 - Scientific MeetingsPrepare for and present, facilitate, or participate in position-related workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums, presenting scientific results as required. Qualifications (Required) MS degree in Marine Science or a related field, or BS degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.Computer literate with common word processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs; capable of college-level reports and oral presentations.Knowledge of ArcGIS, including Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions, for mission planning and spatial-distribution evaluation.Knowledge of MDBC field sampling protocols to lead or participate in surveys.Functional knowledge of ROV, AUV, and UUV operations, including developing logistical plans for at-sea operations using these assets.Experience as lead data collector on at-sea surveys; skilled with shipboard software handling hydrological and biological data streams.Proficient in fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification; knowledge of Gulf of America reef taxa.Expert knowledge of major structure-forming invertebrates in mesophotic and deep benthic communities of the Gulf of America.Knowledge of procedures for encountering endangered or threatened species.Sea-going contractors on OMAO NOAA ships must submit a NOAA Health Services Questionnaire (Form 57-10-01) and Tuberculosis Screening Form (NF 57-10-02) annually/biennially, and must have a current tetanus vaccine (within 10 years).