Research Operations Specialist

Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. (CPC) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual to serve as a Research Operations Specialist to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (GFNMS) and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS) in San Francisco or Point Reyes, California.

The work will be conducted with two National Marine Sanctuary units that collect data to inform management actions along the north and central California coast. The Sanctuaries coordinate and participate in science initiatives within CBNMS, GFNMS and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) on a broad array of issues, including at-sea ecosystem assessments, data management and sharing, and reporting. These activities will continue and build upon initiatives and action plans outlined in the Sanctuaries’ management plans.

CPC is seeking a qualified candidate to oversee the planning and implementation of multiple field projects aimed at collecting data on water quality, habitat integrity, and wildlife to inform effective management. Applicants should have proven experience in science activity planning, project management, at-sea field operations, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Scheduling field activities, communicating with the science team about planned operations, preparing cruise plans and project instructions, coordinating approvals, preparing sampling equipment, communicating with vessel personnel, conducting sample and data collection, tracking expenses, post-activity reporting, data management, analysis, and summary science reporting.
• Participate in the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) project, a collaborative ocean ecosystem project (accessoceans.org).  Activities include cruise planning and preparation, participate in up to four multi-day research cruises per year (6-12 days each), manage data collected in the field, and develop summary reports. ACCESS surveys are scheduled May through October.
• Analyze data collected during field activities, such as processing oceanographic data, or identifying species, and creating data visualization products.
• Support data management including updating species inventory, cruise register, and other data sets at the site.
• Provide content for science communication. Tasks include developing new content and revising existing content for webpages, and producing summary reports on science activities.
• Develop data summaries for use in reports and presentations.
• Assist with developing, reviewing, and editing content, and compiling resources for the sanctuary reports
• Carry out established research plans, ensuring methods are followed, tracked, and documented. Communicating issues to the team lead and providing recommendations to resolution.
• Analyzing collected data and present findings in scientific publications.
• Ensuring safe operations are conducted in the field and reporting near misses and safety incidents.
• Assisting with summary reports and presentations, fact sheets and science needs assessments.

Qualifications

• M.S. in Marine Science or related discipline;
• Experience on vessels and knowledge of safe vessel operations;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• Experience with ArcGIS software;
• Knowledge of a range of marine associated disciplines to include ecology, oceanography, and fisheries.
• Work experience with a diverse science team, marine ecological field sampling, planning and coordination research expeditions, and at-sea data collection including oceanographic sampling, predator and prey sampling, mooring deployment and recovery, and benthic ecology sampling.
• Demonstrated understanding of field work principles and scientific standards.
• Experience working with federal government and state agencies.
• Able to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds to assist transporting equipment and gear.
• Ability to meet deadlines, interact well with team members and work well as part of a team and independently.
• Knowledge of relevant marine ecological principles and recent research.
• Knowledge of or experience with the natural resource agencies, in particular Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and its mission.
• Strong analytical and science writing skills.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Available to work with Sanctuary staff during normal west coast business hours, attend meetings on a regular basis in person in San Francisco and/or Point Reyes, CA, participate in offshore field work originating in San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Bodega Bay, or other nearby ports, and occasionally travel within the greater San Francisco Bay Area, but may otherwise work remotely.

AAP/EEO Statement 

CPC is an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.