Field Survey Lead - Reef Fish & Data at Sea

Think Tank, Inc.; Delwood Beach (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NOAA SEFSC seeks a Field Party Chief and Survey Watch Stander for reef fish surveys aboard NOAA ships and small vessels. You will coordinate a field crew, manage data collection, and troubleshoot at sea, ensuring SOPs are followed.

The role also includes leadership in lab topics, data management, outreach, and presenting results at scientific meetings. Requires MS or BS with relevant field experience and shipboard data skills.

Qualifications

• MS degree in Marine Science or related field; or BS degree plus 3 years relevant experience.
• Computer literate with word processing, databases, statistics, and graphics.
• Knowledge of SEAMAP field sampling protocols for reef fish.
• Lead data collector on at-sea surveys; skilled with shipboard data streams.
• Proficient in fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification; Gulf reef taxa knowledge.
• Knowledge of procedures for endangered species encounters.
• NOAA/Oceanographic health forms and tetanus vaccination compliance for field work.

Responsibilities

• Survey duties: inventory, plan, coordinate logistics, and shipboard data collection.
• Serve as liaison among ship, lab, participants, and TAS program.
• Prepare and load survey gear; coordinate daily vessel activities and weather.
• QA/QC of data; logging and storing data; report progress to leadership.
• Laboratory duties: lead on topic; video annotation and data entry.
• Data management support: backup, security, integration with automated outputs.
• Analytical support: assist in analysis, drafting reports, graphs, and literature review.
• Outreach & education: participate in school programs and public events.
• Scientific meetings: prepare and present findings at workshops and forums.

Skills

Field coordination

Data collection at sea

SOP adherence

GitHub project management

QA/QC of data

Education

MS degree in Marine Science or related field

BS degree + 3 years relevant experience

Tools

Shipboard software handling hydrological data

Oracle databases

Job description

NOAA SEFSC seeks a Field Party Chief and Survey Watch Stander for reef fish surveys aboard NOAA ships and small vessels. You will coordinate a field crew, manage data collection, and troubleshoot at sea, ensuring SOPs are followed.

The role also includes leadership in lab topics, data management, outreach, and presenting results at scientific meetings. Requires MS or BS with relevant field experience and shipboard data skills.