[MARMAM] Steller Sea Lion Field Camp Positions

[Kenady Reuland]

Biological Technician position (May 17-Aug. 8, 2010)
NOAA/NMFS/Alaska Fishery Science Center
National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Seattle, WA
Alaska Ecosystem Program/Steller sea lion field camps

Aquatic Farms (Ltd. of Honolulu, Hawaii), a contractor for The National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fishery Science Center, is 
soliciting cover letters and resumes for the upcoming 2010 field season 
to study the western stock of endangered Steller sea lions (/Eumetopias 
jubatus/) in Alaska. This work is part of a long-term annual
population abundance and survival monitoring program. Duties include 
conducting counts, identifying individual sea lions by tags, brands, and 
natural markings, and monitoring reproduction and survival at remote 
field sites in Alaska. For general information about the program, visit 
this website: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/alaska/

Employment will be from May 17-Aug 8, 2010. Between 1 and 6 new 
biological technicians will be contracted for the 2010 field season. 
Application information is listed below.

The first week of employment (May 17-21, 2010) is spent training in 
Seattle. Attendance is mandatory and successful completion of training 
is required for all field team members. Food and lodging in Seattle are 
not provided. Transportation from Seattle to and from Alaska and the 
field site, food, and lodging in the field are provided. Field teams are 
typically in Alaska for 8-10 weeks.

Field work is conducted by 2-4 member teams in remote camps located at 
either Ugamak Island (eastern Aleutian Islands) or Marmot Island 
(central Gulf of Alaska). All personnel are expected to perform daily 
research duties as well as camp maintenance (chopping wood, hauling 
water, cooking, and compost toilet maintenance etc). Participants are 
required to stay for the duration of the field season and there are no 
crew changes. Field stations are remote, there are no other residents on 
the islands, and outside communication is limited (no cell phone 
coverage and no email). Researchers live in small shelters at the 
various sites with no running water or electricity. Field stations are 
accessible only by ship or helicopter.

Each camp is staffed with one field camp leader and 1-2 assistants. The 
camp leader serves as the senior person in the camp and has previous 
experience on this project. Field camp leaders are responsible for field 
camp logistics and maintenance, ensuring that research goals are met, 
that safety protocols are followed, ensuring that all data is entered 
and edited during the season, the field equipment and supplies are 
returned, and producing an annual report at end of field season. Field 
camp leaders generally have previous experience on the project at a 
field camp. Under the guidance of a field camp leader, field camp 
assistants help with camp preparation, data collection, data entry and 
editing, and field gear inventory and packing. All team members maintain 
a safe working environment for field personnel, participate in daily 
camp maintenance and operation, and assist with the return of field 
equipment and supplies at the end of the season.

_Research Duties_: Research is conducted outdoors 7 days per week, often 
in inclement weather. Temperatures at field sites can range from 40 to 
85 degrees. Fog, wind, and rain are common, with occasional snow early 
in the season. Personnel should be prepared to hike (> 5 miles) with a 
large heavy daypack, over rough uneven terrain, steep slopes, rocky 
ledges, and have no fear of heights or flying in helicopters. 
Observation stations are located on the edge of cliffs or overlooks 
above the sea lions. Observers will be expected to use binoculars and 
spotting scopes for long periods of time and be able to recognize 
markings or brands on sea lions. /There is generally no animal handling 
during field camp operations./ Sea lions should be unaware of the 
presence of biologists. Personnel should be in excellent physical 
condition with no pre-existing health problems such as heart disease, 
severe allergies, depression, debilitating asthma or other ailments that 
will compromise their health or the healthy and safety of others in the 
camp or the completion of research duties.

_Minimum Qualifications_: Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have an 
education in a biological science. A Bachelor’s degree in biology or 
related field with previous field experience is highly recommended. 
Field work, employment, or life experience in very remote settings 
particularly in Alaska or other cold wet climate regions is preferred. 
The ability to work well as a team and independently, with good 
communication and problem-solving skills is mandatory. Ability to follow 
detailed verbal and written instructions and data protocols is 
mandatory. Working knowledge of personal computers including use of word 
processing, spreadsheets, and relational database programs such as 
Access is highly recommended.

Current First Aid and CPR certification is required. Wilderness First 
Aid is highly recommended and candidates will be given extra 
consideration with this certification.

_Application Deadline_: March 15, 2010

Please submit a cover letter and resume with employment history,
education history, and the names and contact information (email and 
phone numbers) of three work related references to:

Calinda "Cal" Goo
Aquatic Farms, Ltd.
49-139 Kamehameha Hwy.
Kaneohe, HI. 96744
(808) 239-2929
FAX: (808) 239-8436
officeafl at hawaii.rr.com <mailto:officeafl at hawaii.rr.com>

And Kathryn Chumbley: Kathryn.Chumbley at noaa.gov