SWFSC Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program Support

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Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program Support to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA.  OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.

Description

The Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program in the ESD is one of the foremost ichthyoplankton identification laboratories in the world. Our staff sort, identify, measure, and count the ichthyoplankton and paralarval cephalopods collected during SWFSC’s research surveys, and routinely identify fish eggs and larvae and cephalopod paralarvae from the eastern, central, and tropical Pacific. Data produced in the Ichthyoplankton Laboratory are critical to SWFSC’s mission to conduct stock assessments and monitor the species and health of the California Current ecosystem. Ichthyoplankton data are used to study distribution and abundance changes of fish and cephalopod species in relation to ecosystem change, primarily in the California Current region, are key contributions to the stock assessments of Bocaccio and Cowcod rockfishes and have been used in assessments of Pacific sardine and Pacific mackerel, and can provide fishery- independent time series information for many other fish species as well as market squid and California spiny lobster.

The Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program analyzes plankton samples collected during California Cooperative Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) and other research cruises to provide data on fish eggs and larvae and cephalopod paralarvae that are used to support Integrated Ecosystem Assessment, biomass assessments, and ecological and taxonomic studies. Lobster larvae also are sorted from the plankton samples and provided to California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Scripps Institution of Oceanography scientists in support of state management of that species. The Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program supports SWFSC plankton and trawling research cruises as needed by providing personnel to serve as members of scientific crews aboard ship. NOAA requires contract support to assist with the various tasks performed by the Ichthyoplankton Ecology Program.

Tasks

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

• Laboratory work, including sorting all ichthyoplankton, paralarval cephalopods, and spiny lobster larvae from plankton samples, identifying target taxa and counting all sorted specimens of all taxa, measuring lengths of key taxa, recording all counts and measurements on standard data forms and delivering completed data forms for data entry.
  1. Using a binocular dissecting microscope, remove target taxa (all fish eggs, fish larvae, cephalopod paralarvae, and lobster phyllosoma larvae) from CalCOFI, and other SWFSC Bongo, Manta and Pairovet net tow plankton samples stored at the SWFSC, following standard CalCOFI protocols. The remaining fraction of each sample will be returned to its collection for subsequent archiving at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Pelagic Invertebrates Collection. Unsorted Bongo net samples collected during other cruises shall be sorted following the priority schedule posted in the Ichthyoplankton Ecology Laboratory.
  2. Count all sorted ichthyoplankton, cephalopod, and lobster specimens, measure standard or notochord lengths of up to 100 specimens each of selected key taxa (currently Pacific sardine, northern anchovy, and Pacific hake larvae), and bottle each category separately. Categories are: 1) sardine eggs; 2) anchovy eggs; 3) all other fish eggs; 4) sardine larvae; 5) anchovy larvae; 6) hake larvae; 7) all other fish larvae; 8) juvenile fish; 9) lobster larvae; and 10) cephalopod paralarvae. Samples collected during the spring CalCOFI cruise, and as many other unprocessed samples as can be sorted in the available time following the priority schedule, will be completed by the end of each period of performance.
  3. Record all specimen counts and measurements on standard data sheets and deliver the sheets to the appropriate data entry personnel for subsequent entry into the appropriate databases.
  4. Aid, as needed, in entering the resulting data into the CalCOFI databases, and contribute as needed to analyzing these data and in preparation of scientific manuscripts resulting from these analyses.
  5. If sufficient specimens are available in the plankton samples, developmental sequences of selected species, primarily rockfishes, may be assembled and meristic, morphometric, and pigmentation data collected from those specimens for use in preparation of manuscripts describing larval development of those species.
• Field work, consisting primarily of service on scientific crew aboard a research vessel during CalCOFI surveys, or if needed, on fishery resource assessment surveys.
  1. Serve as a member of the scientific crew aboard a research vessel for up to 60 days at sea (typically on 14-30 day cruise legs) during a CPS Biomass Estimation Survey or a CalCOFI survey during each period of performance.
  2. Work as a member of the plankton sampling team during a CalCOFI survey or on the plankton sampling or trawling team to conduct shipboard demographic analysis of trawl catches with primary emphasis on coastal pelagic species (Northern Anchovy, Pacific Sardine, Jack and Pacific Mackerel, market squid) during a CPS survey
  3. Complete CalCOFI survey duties including: plankton sampling with bongo, manta, and pairovet plankton nets including recording of collection data and preserving samples following CalCOFI protocols, and identification and counting of live fish eggs collected with a Continuous Underway Fish Egg Sampler (CUFES), including recording of identification and count data in the CUFES data logger and preservation of completed CUFES plankton samples following standard protocols
  4. Complete CPS survey duties including identification and counting of live fish eggs collected with CUFES, recording of identification and count data in the CUFES data logger and preservation of completed CUFES plankton samples following standard protocol if serving on the plankton team, and species identification, measurements of length and weight, and collection of otolith, ovary, and other tissue samples from target species if serving on the trawling team
  5. If participating in the annual CPS Biomass Estimation Survey, as availability of specimens and time allow lead in performing temperature-dependent incubation rate rearing trials aboard ship, use constant-temperature incubators and eggs collected from trawl-caught Pacific Sardine, Northern Anchovy, Pacific Mackerel, or Jack Mackerel. Highest priority species for incubation trials are Pacific Sardine and Northern Anchovy. Eggs and sperm collected from trawl-caught fish will be mixed, the resulting fertilized eggs stocked into water baths set at predetermined fixed temperatures, and eggs reared through hatching and yolk-sac larval stage, if possible. Eggs will be collected and preserved at regular predetermined intervals, and water bath temperature and time will be recorded at each collection
  6. If a spawning broodstock is available in the laboratory, conduct laboratory incubation trials in addition to, or in place of, shipboard trials

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: This is a full-time position with a generous benefit package. Salary commensurate with experience, $27.00 – 33.65 /hr.

Location: Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) in La Jolla, CA

Requirements

Additional skills and experience required:

• Experience in using a microscope to sort fish eggs and larvae and paralarval cephalopods from plankton samples. Preferred experience in sorting spiny lobster phyllosoma larvae from plankton samples.
• Experience using a microscope and ocular micrometer to make standard measurements.
• Experience identifying fish eggs and larvae, preferably of target coastal pelagic species (including Northern Anchovy, Pacific Sardine, Pacific Hake, Jack and Pacific Mackerel).
• Experience in plankton sample collection and processing, preferably using the standard CalCOFI protocols (for protocols see Kramer et al. 1972, NOAA Tech. Rep. NMFS Circ-370).
• Experience processing fish collected during trawl surveys, such as conducting measurements of length and weight and obtaining otoliths, ovaries, and other tissue samples.
• Experience rearing planktonic fish eggs under controlled conditions.
• Prefer experience following SWFSC Fisheries Resources Division protocols including the identification of target coastal pelagic species (Northern Anchovy, Pacific Mackerel, Jack and Pacific Mackerel, and market squid).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and collaboratively in a team/group setting.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and implement appropriate action.

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).

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check.  Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI’s online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify. 

Note:  If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the “Notes” section on the second page of the online application.