Job Description

*US Citizenship Required

*Onsite Position primarily in Coastal locations in Southeastern US (NC to TX) with travel required

*Position is Subject to Contract Award

Position Overview

Think Tank Inc. is seeking full-time Commercial Dockside Samplers to work within the SEFSC Fisheries Statistics Division's Catch Validation and Biosampling Branch. These positions collect biological data from commercial fishing operations at coastal locations throughout the Southeastern United States from North Carolina to Texas.

Key Responsibilities

Biological Sampling

• Collect lengths, weights, and biological samples (primarily otoliths) from commercial fisheries catches and recreational headboat catches when requested; target: 1% of total catch year weight.
• Follow TIP and SRHS User's Guide protocols; collect data on paper forms or tablet computers as directed by the Government.
• Prepare biological samples using proper cleaning, packaging, and labeling procedures within one week of collection.
• Ship samples to receiving entities by the 30th of the month after data proofing/crosschecking is complete. Gulf of Mexico and all King/Spanish mackerel samples go to Panama City Lab; South Atlantic samples (excluding mackerels) go to Beaufort Lab.

Data Management

• Enter data collected during dockside bio sampling into TIPS or SRHS web portals by the last day of the subsequent month of collection.
• Run monthly QA/QC audits using the TIPS tool as soon as monthly data entry is complete.
• Complete monthly data proofing by end of second month subsequent to data collection.

SRHS Support (if requested)

• Submit Head Boat Activity Reports (HARs) weekly by each Friday.
• Monitor vessel elogs and communicate with vessels regarding reporting compliance.

Training & Outreach

• Assist FTE staff with sampling training sessions for new hires and TIP Partner agencies.
• Participate in SEFSC public outreach events; submit all materials 5 days prior for approval.
• Attend training sessions and conferences for protocol and technology updates.
• Complete training courses and maintain up-to-date training annually

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

Education

• MS Degree in Marine Science or a related field of study; OR BS Degree plus three (3) years of relevant experience.

Skills

• Knowledge of fish/related biological field sufficient to independently perform scientific tasks.
• Proficient in the use of fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification books and keys.
• Computer literate; experienced with word processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired)

• Experience collecting catch and effort information from commercial or recreational fishermen.
• Knowledge of biological sampling (lengths, age structures, gonads) from marine fish.

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