Glider Technician I

Dalhousie University; Halifax; On-site; CAD 53,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP matching

Health and dental plans

Wellness allowance

Employee assistance program

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Dalhousie University's Ocean Tracking Network seeks a Glider Technician I to support autonomous glider operations for marine research. The role involves field deployment, data management, and collaboration with research partners in Atlantic Canada and beyond.

The incumbent will work in person at the COVE facility in Dartmouth, with extended field duties that may include travel and sea deployments. A relevant undergraduate degree and VDRL-compatible skills are required.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in marine biology, oceanography, engineering or related field with two years' ocean tech experience.
• Experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and piloting autonomous underwater vehicles.
• Experience working in marine environments, including small vessel operations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage priorities and documentation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel internationally, hold a valid driver’s license, and lift equipment over 20 kg.

Responsibilities

• Assist planning, deployment, operation, and piloting of autonomous gliders for ocean research missions.
• Support at-sea deployment and recovery activities for gliders, small vessels, and equipment.
• Perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of gliders and related gear.
• Contribute to testing, integration, and calibration of sensors and instrumentation.
• Monitor and analyse glider performance and data quality to optimize systems.
• Manage research data and metadata, coordinating with data managers and pilots as needed.

Skills

Ocean tech experience

Autonomous vehicles piloting

Strong organizational skills

Excellent communication

Willingness to travel internationally

Education

Undergraduate degree in marine biology/oceanography/engineering

Tools

GPS technology

Spatial mapping programs

CTD sensors & data loggers

Echosounders

Job description

Salary $53,470 - $67,685 per annum, 37.5 hours per week

Classification

Provisional Statement

Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.

Job Summary

The Ocean Tracking Network ( OTN , http://oceantrackingnetwork.org/) is a international marine and freshwater monitoring platform that focuses on tracking the movements of aquatic animals in the context of ocean conditions and climate change. Established in 2008, OTN is one of six Major Research Facilities supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation ( CFI ). The OTN operates the largest academic fleet of uncrewed ocean-going vessels in Atlantic Canada. These vessels are used to observe, understand and predict physical, biogeochemical and ecological change in the ocean. Reporting to the Manager, Glider Operations, the Glider Technician I is a key part of the OTN glider team and helps ensure the smooth operation of glider activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the planning, preparation, deployment, operation, and piloting of autonomous gliders for ocean-based research missions.
• Support at-sea deployment and recovery activities for gliders, small vessels, and associated scientific equipment.
• Perform maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of gliders and related field and laboratory equipment.
• Contribute to the testing, integration, and calibration of scientific sensors and instrumentation.
• Monitor and analyse glider performance and sensor data to optimize system functionality and data quality.
• Collect, manage, and document research data and project metadata, while coordinating with data managers and overseeing part-time glider pilots as required.

Note

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person from the COVE facility in Dartmouth.
The position requires extended periods of travel (local, national, and international), and long days spent in the field and at sea. Candidates should be prepared to be at sea for multiple days at a time. Some evening, weekend, and holiday work will be required as well as routine glider pilot standby shifts.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in marine biology, oceanography, engineering or related field, with two years’ experience with ocean technology, acoustic telemetry, tagging, oceanographic data collection, or equivalent combination of training and experience (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
• Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and piloting autonomous underwater vehicles.
• Experience working in marine environments, including operating or supporting small vessel activities in a variety of sea conditions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, follow established protocols, maintain accurate documentation, and adhere to operational procedures.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders including industry partners, vessel operators, researchers, and community members.
• Proven problem-solving abilities and adaptability in dynamic field environments, with the ability to travel internationally, hold a valid driver’s licence, meet marine medical requirements, and safely lift equipment weighing over 20 kg.

Assets

• Experience overseeing glider missions from start to finish
• Understanding of acoustic technology and research, including study design, mission planning, and field operations.
• General knowledge of oceanographic sensors, such as Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTDs), oxygen sensors, hydrophones, echosounders and data loggers.
• Experience with spatial mapping programs, GPS technology, plotting coordinates, and navigation.
• Conversational French language skills
• Experience towing a trailer. Hold Transport Canada certificates of completion for Small Vessel Operator Proficiency ( SVOP ) and Small Non-pleasure Domestic Vessel Basic Safety ( SDV -BS) or MED -A3.

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core and leadership competencies, in particular:
- Respect & Inclusion
- Adaptability
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
- Communication
- Service

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP , health and dental plans, a wellness allowance, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Non-probationary bargaining unit employees ( PSAC Local 86001) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.
Full-time students currently enrolled at an educational institution are not eligible for regular Grant-Paid positions.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here .

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Résumé / Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter