[MARMAM] Job announcement - NMFS Alaska Steller sea lion population abundance and survival project, closes March 1, 2011

[kathryn chumbley]

Biological Technician positions (May 16-Aug. 8, 2011)
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 2011 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 16-Aug 8, 2011. Between 1 and 6 new 
biological technicians will be contracted for the 2011 field season. 
Application information is listed below.

The first week of employment (May 16-21, 2011) is spent in Seattle 
training. Attendance is mandatory and successful completion of training 
is required for all field team members each season. 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 generally has 
previous experience on this project. Field camp leaders are responsible 
for field camp logistics and maintenance, ensuring that research goals 
are met and that safety protocols are followed, ensuring that all data 
is entered and edited during the season, the return of field equipment 
and supplies, and producing an annual report at end of field season. 
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 35 to 
85 degrees. Fog, wind, and rain are common, with occasional snow early 
in the season. Candidates should be prepared to hike (> 5 miles) with a 
large, heavy daypack, over rough and 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. Candidates 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, the health 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 in 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 1, 2011

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 both contacts listed 
below. Applicants not meeting qualification criteria or who submit 
incomplete applications will not be considered.

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