Fisheries Specialist – Eelgrass and Habitat Restoration Scientist (ASMFC / Rhode Island DEM DMF)
Eric Schneider
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is hiring an Eelgrass and Habitat Restoration Scientist to work directly with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Marine Fisheries. A summary of the announcement is below.
Location: Wakefield / Jamestown, RI
Starting Salary: $58,532 (plus full benefits)
Application Deadline: 03/24/24
Application website: https://asmfc.org/jobs/ ;
Vacancy #: 24-007
Starting Date: April – early May 2024 (Flexible)
Ending Date: Sept 2025 (may be extended based on performance and funding)
General Description
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking qualified applicants for the position of: Fisheries Specialist – Eelgrass and Habitat Restoration Scientist. Working directly with the Rhode Island (RI) Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), the Fisheries Specialist will be responsible for coordinating and executing eelgrass (Zostera marina) surveys to address knowledge gaps in flowering phenology and spatiotemporal distribution of reproductive shoots. The geographic extent of this project is Rhode Island (coastal lagoons and Narraganset Bay) and Massachusetts (Buzzards Bay, Pleasant Bay, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard). In addition to leading and executing work in RI, the Fisheries Specialist will be responsible for coordinating field surveys and data collection activities with the Massachusetts (MA) DMF and other project partners (e.g., Boston University, Stony Brook University, Cape Cod National Seashore, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, and US EPA). With the guidance of RI and MA DMF staff, the Fisheries Specialist will also lead modeling efforts to predict eelgrass reproductive phenology for the project area, develop eelgrass seed storage capacity in RI, and disseminate project information and results with parallel efforts in other areas of New England.
Duties
1. Prepare, coordinate, and conduct field surveys to assess eelgrass flowering phenology and seed production in RI.
2. Coordinate and assist project partners in MA with eelgrass surveys and other project aspects (e.g., data collection and submission, seed collection and storage, outreach).
3. Develop spatiotemporal models to predict eelgrass seed production and maturation.
4. Assist with facility development and refine techniques to store eelgrass seeds for local and regional restoration projects.
5. Coordinate and conduct data management and analysis, grant reporting, and contribute to scientific reports and publications.
6. Participate in project specific meetings, as well as regional meetings, and workshops.
7. Mentor and coordinate seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers during field surveys.
8. Assist state, federal, and university partners with collaborative research, monitoring, assessment, and habitat restoration work, as required.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a science field (e.g., Marine Biology, Biology, Natural Resources), in addition to experience conducting biological sampling in the field, recording data, and writing reports. Applicants will be expected to spend many days in the field. Applicants must also have proven project management skills and experience in data analysis, technical writing, and public speaking. The applicant must have the ability to manage multiple tasks, a general knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word, Excel), and a valid driver’s license. They must be able to work collaboratively with various partners, including state and federal management entities, universities, and non-profit partners.
Preferred qualifications include: A Bachelor’s degree in a marine science-related discipline and 2 years of related experience in the marine science field, a graduate degree and 1 year of experience, or an equivalent combination of these. Prior experience conducting field-based habitat, fish, and shellfish research and/or restoration and monitoring work, and knowledge and experience with fisheries biology, research, and management techniques. SCUBA certification and experience conducting field surveys via SCUBA. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage and prioritize multiple project components, and complete tasks independently with respect to timelines. Strong communication via written, spoken, and graphical means. Knowledge and experience managing survey data, experience conducting ecological statistics and analyses with R, adept at managing and displaying spatial data using GIS software, and a record of producing scientific reports and peer-reviewed publications.
Work Environment
The Fisheries Specialist is expected to be stationed at the RI DMF Coastal Fisheries Laboratory in Wakefield, Rhode Island; however, the individual will also spend substantive time at the Division’s headquarters in Jamestown, RI. Work will be performed in both office and field settings, which may include working in variable weather conditions, at remote locations in and on the water, outside of normal business hours, and under physically demanding circumstances. It is expected that the applicant will be based in RI or nearby due to the scope of work, with teleworking eligibility to be guided by the RI DMF’s teleworking policy.
The Fisheries Specialist reports directly to the DMF’s Supervising Biologist. The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative in addressing the needs of field data collection and other areas of responsibility.
This position is an 18-month full-time contract that may be extended based on performance and funding. This position is not qualified for overtime. Compensatory time and flexible working hours (with supervisory approval) are available under the Commission’s policies; however, the Fisheries Specialist is a salaried employee, and is expected to work seven (7) hours/day, five (5) days/week. U.S. citizenship is required.
Application Process
Please email a resume and cover letter to Human Resources, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, 1050 N. Highland Street; Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201 (asmfc...@asmfc.org) by the closing date of March 24, 2024. The vacancy number (24-007) must be identified in the subject line.
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Eric Schneider
Principal Marine Fisheries Biologist
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Division of Marine Fisheries
Fort Wetherill Marine Laboratory, 3 Fort Wetherill Road
Jamestown, Rhode Island 02835
Phone: 401.423-1933 | eric.sc...@dem.ri.gov
Pronouns: He, him, his