Job Description

he NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Marine Mammal and Turtle and Division’s (MMTD) California Current Marine Assessment Program (CMAP) conducts cetacean population assessments using a variety of tools, including passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Drifting acoustic buoys are valuable tools for marine mammal population assessment as well as soundscape monitoring of the marine habitat. These applications require a high level of competence in detection, classification, and localization (DCL), expertise in assessing population level metrics using PAM data. SWFSC will be collecting PAM data from drifting acoustic buoys in the California Current to study the soundscape and assess marine mammal populations. As part of this project, we will actively seek community engagement with educators at formal (K‐12) and informal (museums) and through development of citizen science projects related to our acoustic research. MMTD is seeking an Acoustic Ecologist to conduct research on passive acoustic data for assessing marine mammal populations and the marine soundscape and to develop educational products and citizen science projects.

Tasks and Deliverables:

Key tasks include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Task 1: Population assessment of Cetaceans using Passive Acoustic Monitoring
  • Description: Collect, analyze, and prepare manuscripts using acoustic data from drifting acoustic recorders to detect, localize, and classify sounds associated with marine mammals to lowest taxonomic level (species or sub‐species, when appropriate) and to assess populations for each taxonomic group. The degree of population assessment will vary by taxon according to most appropriate methods given the data and may consist of novel methods.
  • Deliverables:
    • Status updates and preliminary results in the form of quarterly and annual reports.
    • A status update and copy of all publications intended for submission as NOAA Technical Memorandums or journal publications.
    • All digital data from analytical processes (including, but not limited to, Pamguard databases & binary files, R data output, summary reports, etc).
    • A final report summarizing all data products and, if appropriate, user instructions.
• Task 2: Soundscape analysis in the California Current
  • Description: Analyze acoustic data collected from drifting acoustic recorders and prepare manuscripts to characterize the marine soundscape, and geographic/temporal variation in the soundscape, according to best available methods.
  • Deliverables: 
    • Status updates and preliminary results in the form of quarterly and annual reports.
    • A status update and copy of all publications intended for submission as NOAA Technical Memorandums or journal publications.
    • All digital data from analytical processes (including, but not limited to, Pamguard databases & binary files, R data output, summary reports, etc).
• Task 3: SWFSC Education, Outreach, and Citizen Science efforts for Passive Acoustic Monitoring Data
  • Description: Develop and assess SWFSC educational materials and citizen science projects aimed at formal (K‐12) and informal audiences (e.g., museums) to provide educational opportunities using NOAA PAM data and to produce citizen science data products in coordination with NOAA’s Office of Education. Materials should meet Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
  • Deliverables:
    • Status updates and preliminary results in the form of monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
    • NGSS aligned curriculum, including (but not limited to) teacher guides, student handouts, and supporting digital materials that will be made publicly available. All materials to be provided as they are completed.
    • A summary report of the results of the citizen science project, which will be made publicly available.
• Task 4: Project related informational meetings
  • Description: Participate in periodic SWFSC and MMTD meetings with the Project Lead(s), NMFS staff, and Center leadership to exchange information, provide status updates, and to stay informed.
  • Deliverables: Provide a list of meetings attended.
• Task 5: Fieldwork, stranding response, and education/outreach/citizen science
  • Description: Conduct marine acoustic fieldwork and stranding response (if necessary) to collect samples and/or record data on marine mammals and sea turtle populations, including participation in education/outreach/citizen science field projects as outlined in Tasks 1‐3 above and driving government vehicles when necessary to complete tasks.
  • Deliverables:
    • All samples and/or data collected at the end of each field/stranding.
    • A summary of fieldwork and outreach‐related activities in the form of quarterly and annual reports. A final report summarizing all field and education/outreach/citizen science related events participated in.

Start Date: October 1, 2022

Location: Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037Remote option available.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with some anticipated overtime. Salary is commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package.

Travel: Domestic and international travel is anticipated. Travel to include the following:

• Domestic or international conferences/workshops to present results and to identify new analytical methods associated with Tasks 1, 2.
• Domestic or international conferences/workshops to improve the quality of educational and citizen science projects for Task 3.
• Educational, outreach, and citizen science efforts associated with Task 3 including visits to schools, museums, etc. to meet with educators involved in SWFSC citizen science projects outlined above to plan/develop/distribute outreach materials/projects.
• Protected species fieldwork, stranding response, and education/outreach/citizen science per Task 1, 5 above.

Requirements: 

Skills and experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major directly related in a field of study as related to the requirements of specific task order with emphasis in fisheries, oceanography, social science, natural science, mathematics, or hydrology, plus four (4) years of experience in related field or combination of such totaling eight (8) years combined education/experience. Master’s Degree in related field or Ph.D. may be substituted for experience.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Three years of experience (including at least 1‐year field experience) using Pamguard and/or Triton software to analyze sounds associated with odontocetes.
• Three years of experience programming in Matlab and/or R programming languages.
• Experience developing educational curriculum and citizen science projects related to marine bioacoustics.
• One year of experience analyzing anthropogenic noise in the marine environment.
• Experience using Tethys database, PAMr, BANTER software.
• Experience writing reports and peer‐reviewed publications.
• Experience building & repairing autonomous hydrophones (drifting and/or moored).
• Experience on cetacean abundance surveys.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references.
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: Not Disclosed.

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