Biological Technician - Fisheries Survey Support

Orchard LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Orchard LLC is seeking Biological Technicians (Levels I-III) to support NOAA Fisheries ESB aboard sea-going surveys, collecting samples and data for stock assessments and ecosystem-based management. Roles include 12-hour watches, data QA/QC, and equipment support across Northeast U.S. vessels.

Experience aboard research or commercial vessels, ability to endure up to 3 weeks at sea, and [NOAA OMAO sea duty health criteria] TB clearance are required. Salary range 58–62k with paid days at sea.

Qualifications

• Experience aboard research or commercial vessels.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts at sea for trips up to 3 weeks.
• Strong teamwork and communication in challenging field environments.
• Must meet NOAA OMAO sea duty health criteria and TB test.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with data entry and QA/QC practices.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Participate in sea-going surveys aboard NOAA and partner vessels.
• 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).

Education

Biological sciences coursework

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic data acquisition systems

Job description

Biological Technicians - NOAA Fisheries Sea-Going Surveys (Levels I-III) Sea-going job accessible to Falmouth/Woods Hole, MA, and Narragansett, RI (with assignments on NOAA and partner vessels throughout the Northeast U.S.) @Orchard LLC has been awarded the PEMAD sea-going support contract through NOAA Fisheries. We are actively 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).

Your background will include (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 a 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.

Compensation will be based on experience and qualifications, and is expected to be in the range of $58-62k.