Job Description

Job Type Full-time Description Biological Technicians - NOAA Fisheries Sea-Going Surveys (Levels I-III) Location: Woods Hole, MA (with assignments on NOAA and partner vessels throughout the Northeast U.S.) Position Summary Orchard is hiring Biological Technicians (Levels I-III) to support NOAA Fisheries' Ecosystem Surveys Branch (ESB). Technicians collect and process biological samples and environmental data during fishery-independent resource surveys. Work includes at-sea survey participation (5-140+ days annually), data QA/QC, sample processing, and equipment support. This is a hands-on science role that directly supports stock assessments and ecosystem-based fisheries management. Responsibilities Participate in sea-going surveys aboard NOAA and partner vessels (sorting, identifying, weighing, measuring fish/invertebrates, collecting biological samples for age, growth, maturity, genetics, diet). Stand scientific watches of up to 12 hours/day at sea. Operate electronic data acquisition systems for fisheries and oceanographic sampling. Assist with deployment, calibration, and maintenance of survey gear, acoustics, and optical/video equipment. Conduct QA/QC of survey data using NOAA protocols; prepare documentation of sampling procedures and metadata. Annotate benthic imagery and optical survey data as directed. Maintain, repair, and inventory sampling hardware (measuring boards, motion-compensated scales, barcode systems, touch screens). Support cruise staging/de-staging, equipment prep, and vessel logistics. Contribute to laboratory analysis of biological samples and assist with database management. Train new staff (Levels II & III) and provide leadership of field parties/watches at sea (Level III). Summarize survey data, assist with reports, and contribute to outreach materials (manuals, protocols, blogs, newsletters). Qualifications General Requirements (all levels): Experience working aboard research or commercial vessels. Ability to work 12-hour shifts at sea for trips lasting up to 3 weeks. Strong teamwork and communication skills in challenging field environments. Must meet NOAA OMAO sea duty health criteria and provide proof of recent TB test. Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with data entry and QA/QC practices. Valid driver's license. Level I (Entry/Seasonal Technician): Basic familiarity with marine species ID in the Northwest Atlantic (fish/invertebrates). Coursework or experience in biological sciences preferred. Able to assist with sampling, data recording, and shipboard organization under supervision. Level II (Experienced Technician): Minimum 2 years' experience identifying fish and invertebrates in the Northwest Atlantic. At least 1 year of experience with survey bottom trawls or shellfish dredges. Experience with fishery sampling hardware (electronic boards, scales, barcode systems). Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work independently. Level III (Senior Technician): Minimum 200 days at sea (Bottom Trawl Survey) or 100 days (Shellfish/Advanced Tech Surveys). At least 2 years' experience with electronic data acquisition systems. Experience leading watches/field teams of up to 7 at sea. Familiarity with acoustic net mensuration systems (Scanmar, Simrad, Marport). Experience querying/analyzing fishery-independent data from relational databases (e.g., Oracle). Ability to train staff, conduct QA/QC, and contribute to protocol development. Orchard , CO

Job Tags

Similar Jobs