Staff Biologist, Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring (CFEMM)
(Posted 02/01/2022)

Target Audience: Technician/Staff


Institution: Mote Marine Laboratory

Institutional Web Link: http://www.mote.org

Description of Internship or Research Opportunity: The Center for Fisheries Electronic Monitoring at Mote (CFEMM), Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, under the supervision of Center Director, Carole Neidig, M.S. at Mote Marine Laboratory seeks a Staff Biologist. The work in this Center encompasses partnerships with the commercial GoM reef fish fishing industry in response to the need to provide reliable, quality, accurate, and timely catch and bycatch data documentation in U.S. domestic fisheries through the use of electronic monitoring (EM), a video imaging technology that Mote has spearheaded in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Staff Biologist will contribute to programmatic goals including: - (1) Advance the use of EM in fishery-dependent data collections; (2) Improve the collection and quality of reliable, timely and accurate species identification, quantification, characterization, and effort of catch, particularly discarded species for use by fisheries management; (3) Expand local and regional capacity for EM Gulf wide and (4) Provide EM data and recommendations to management and fishers for improving sustainability of the fishery.


Responsibilities:
• Center Programmatic Assistance:
- Communicate frequently and regularly with the Center Director and Center Coordinator providing updates on task progress, problems, and/or needs.
- Review EM footage to identify finfish and shark species caught in the GoM
- Annotate fish images for machine learning algorithm development.
- Maintain the CFEMM ‘Home Port’ data and communications portal by tracking new subscribers and uploading stakeholders with requested data products.
- Generate data products based on annotated EM data (e.g. summaries, comparisons, mapping) for industry and management.
- Track purchase order status and project expenses (in Excel spreadsheet).
- Conduct literature searches, provide links for staff review, and enter in literature entry program.
- Participate in project meetings (occasional travel required) and webinars.
- Prepare project related sampling kits, gear, and instructions for participating fishers.
- Assist with the training and management of volunteers and college interns
- Contribute to reports, proposals, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Keep CFEMM data confidential as required by a signed Confidentiality Agreement.

• Field Assistance:
- Communicate and coordinate with fish house managers, vessel owners and or captains on project related objectives and tasks.
- Collect data (e.g. vessel hard drives, captain related paperwork, and questionnaires).
- Collect and process biological fish samples (e.g. otoliths and tissue samples) and coordinate sample shipments.
- Employ understanding of the technical aspects of EM vessel equipment upkeep, conduct regular onsite vessel checks, and provide proactive preventive maintenance and minor repairs.

Work Areas and Conditions: The position will be based in Sarasota, FL, at Mote’s City Island campus. Primary field locations include Bradenton, Cortez, Madeira Beach, Redington Shores, St. Petersburg, Inglis, Steinhatchee, and Fort Myers, FL, Galveston, TX, and other possible locations of future projects.

Hours: Full time, flexibility required as some weeks may require additional hours based on workload and deadlines. Must be available to contact on weekends/off days, as EM vessels operate 7 days a week, and projects, proposals, and manuscripts often require hours other than 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required:
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Science, Fisheries Science, or similar.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Experience with ArcGIS.
• Proficient in Microsoft™ Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work individually and in a group setting with staff, volunteers, and student interns.
• Ability to maintain a high level of work quality and accuracy.
• Good communication skills (written and oral).
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to keep detailed log of work conducted.
• Ability to work in various weather conditions.
• Ability to work with basic tools for vessel EM system maintenance.
• Present yourself in a professional manner with MML staff, vessel personnel, state and government representatives, and subcontractors.
• Ability to perform occasional lifting/moving 40 lbs or more (e.g. boxes, coolers, equipment).
• Ability to work at commercial fish houses and on commercial fishing vessels (in port); often includes walking, standing, and climbing (to access a vessel) on wet and slippery surfaces.
• Ability to perform if needed, manual labor including, but not limited to bending, crawling in tight vessel spaces (e.g. to install or repair EM wiring, perform maintenance and minor repairs).
Prefer:
• Experience identifying Gulf of Mexico finfish and shark species.
• Biological sampling experience (e.g. otolith extraction, DNA sampling).
• Basic statistical skills and willingness to learn statistical programs (e.g. R).



Funding Source: Other


How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply on line by choosing 2022 Staff Biologist, CFEMM at https://mote.smapply.org/prog/job_applicants or mail a single package including cover letter, resume or c.v. and the contact information for three references to Mote Marine Laboratory, Attn: Human Resources, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 before 5pm February 21, 2022.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other protected category. Mote participates in E-Verify


Application Closing Date: 02/21/2022

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