INTERNAL POSTING - Wildlife Biologist I

State of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

State of South Carolina in the Inshore Fisheries section seeks personnel to participate in field work and laboratory activities supporting estuarine finfish and coastal shark research. You will serve as field crew member/captain, assist with data exploration, analysis of sampling efforts, and contribute to biological studies, proposals, and science dissemination.

Responsibilities include QA/QC of data and samples, examining long-term datasets for abundance trends, and creating outreach

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management or related technical area.
• Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management, or related field, with at least 2 years of marine fisheries research experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in field work and laboratory activities to support estuarine finfish and coastal shark research.
• Serve as field crew member/captain and assist with data exploration and analysis for sampling efforts.
• Contribute to section activities related to biological studies, proposal submission, analysis and science dissemination.
• Assist with QA/QC of fishery-independent data and samples; explore long-term datasets and analyze abundance trends.
• Design public outreach materials with updated section research for annual dissemination.
• Work irregular hours and weekends and interact with the angling public; be able to swim.

Job description

Successful candidate will participate in a variety of field work and laboratory activities in support of estuairne finfish and coastal shark research conducted by the Inshore Fisheries section. Main duties include serving as a field crew member/captain, assisting with exploration and analysis of data collected during fishery-independent and fishery-dependent sampling efforts, and contributing to section activities related to biological studies, proposal submission, analysis, and science dissemintation. Candidate will assist in the collection and QA/QC of fishery-independent data and samples for various research studies. Main non-field related responsibilites will be to explore long-term Inshore fisheries datasets and conduct analysis on fish abundance trends and movement in relation to environmental drivers and to design public outreach materials with updated section research for annual dissemination. Staff will be required to participate in strenuous field activities, often necessitating work during non-standard work hours and/or on the weekend.

A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management or related technical area.

A Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, wildlife management, or related field, at least 2 years of experience in marine fisheries research, and experience in fish, wildlife or marine resource management or research programs.

Knowledge of South Carolina's estuarine finfish and/or coastal shark species, including their habits, habitats and natural requirements. Knowledge of United States Coast Guard rules and regulations governing navigation and the ability to operate and trailer small boats. Knowledge of data analysis particularly related to modeling and exploring trends in fish abundance or movement in response to environmental drivers. Applicant should demonstrate the ability to assist in the coordination and execution of research projects involving management and abundance trends of estuarine and/or coastal shark recreational fisheries. A high level of attention to detail, ability to work independently and in a team. Experience presenting scientific data in oral and written form is preferred. Experience with R statistical software and modeling techniques using large datasets is preferred. Knowledge of design software and data visualization and storytelling skills is preferred for infographic and outreach material production.

Ability to work irregular hours and complete rigorous fieldwork. Common sense, dedication and the ability to interact gracefully with the angling public are critical attributes necessary for the employee to be successful. Ability to swim.