IPHC Setline Survey Specialist (Headquarters)

International Pacific Halibut Commission•Seattle, WA

21d•$71,280•Onsite

About The Position

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to hire a Setline Survey Specialist at the Headquarters’ office. The IPHC is a public international organization and as such will consider applicants regardless of nationality or location. Non-US citizens will be required to obtain a G-4 visa for work in the USA. IPHC Secretariat will assist in VISA acquisition. OVERVIEW Under the direction of the Setline Survey Coordinator, the Setline Survey Specialist (HQ) positions are responsible for services and support of the IPHC’s Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) and other IPHC research projects utilising the FISS platform. The Setline Survey Specialists (HQ) will act as the lead on one or more organisational services or FISS functions including, but not limited to, Fish Sales, Data Reconciliation, Bait, Gear, and Field Support. This position requires flexibility in completing work assignments, strong interpersonal skills, priority-setting skills, and the ability to work well with all levels of the IPHC Secretariat, as well as outside contacts and vendors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, biology, or allied field (higher degree an advantage)
Knowledge of the theories, principles, and methods of natural resource management, and skill in applying this knowledge to fisheries’ collections (data and biological structures)
Proven ability to reconcile fishery or fishery-independent collections (data and biological structures) and the impacts of these studies and results on resource management
Proven ability to effectively communicate fisheries data and biological structures random and representative collection protocols and the impact of this work in written and oral presentations to varied audiences
Proven ability to work cooperatively and professionally with people with diverse backgrounds, responsibilities, and positions on issues
Proven ability to prioritize and balance a shifting workload in a deadline driven working environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience providing support to fisheries independent collections and data analysis in support of fisheries management
Knowledge of laws that govern fisheries conservation and management actions in Canada and the USA.

Responsibilities

Obtains permits and authorisations from various external state and Federal agencies in both Canada and the USA. This responsibility includes coordinating approval, completing and submitting applications, tracking effective dates, and reporting to agencies.
Under the direction and management of the Setline Survey Coordinator, assists in general FISS planning.
Coordinates projects on IPHC-contracted vessels, including preparing forms/data collection, arranging gear, training Secretariat, providing procedural updates on these projects, and reviewing/editing data collected. Those include, but are not limited to, IPHC Regulatory Area 2B species data collection including fish identification and maturity.
Responsible for end-of-season reporting compliance associated with these projects to the various agencies.
Assists the Setline Survey Coordinator with the review of new projects submitted to the IPHC for consideration to be conducted during the FISS.
Responsible for FISS sampling projects to include invoicing for fish sales, reimbursements and other documentation that may be required in accordance with the finance and accounting guides at the IPHC.
Assists the Setline Survey Coordinator to maintain and update the FISS manual, including but not limited to, updating and producing station charts, drafting reports on activities for the Commission, collecting and reviewing FISS data, assisting in planning, and providing support.
Assists the Setline Survey Coordinator in leading the training program for the FISS with assistance from other IPHC Secretariat. This includes coordinating the agenda, speakers and logistics for the week (e.g. lodging, travel, and transportation).
Responsible for collecting necessary information from the FISS, including ensuring data is entered into databases.
Tracks data packages and FISS paperwork and maintains all necessary documents and records whether in paper or electronic format.
Answers data questions and completes computer checks and reconciliation of inconsistencies after the data are entered.
Responsible for post-season data checks and ensures the necessary paperwork is accurate and appropriately stored.
Assists with public data requests and postseason FISS reporting. This requires computer skills for documenting, tracking and querying data and technical expertise for communicating with vessels at sea.
Responsible for the completion of the FISS data reporting annually and reporting results accomplished on FISS in a report. This includes coordinating with other IPHC Secretariat to ensure all information and undertakings of FISS is accurate, up-to-date and complete.
Alerts the Setline Survey Coordinator of any concerns associated with carrying out the FISS.
Meets the Commission goals with the fish sales elements of the FISS and recommending options when unusual situations arise (lead: Fish Sales).
Establishes and maintains relationships with Pacific halibut buyers via regular contact prior to the FISS season or other research work to announce sales and collect information from interested buyers (lead: Fish Sales).
Financially tracks fish sales by ensuring payments are received, confirming accuracy with the fish ticket information, and entering data into appropriate IPHC databases (lead: Fish Sales).
Responsible for managing and directing all aspects of logistics for equipment (e.g. gear and scientific supplies) and bait, as appropriate, for the FISS, and for coordinating any necessary gear for research projects (internal or external) occurring on the IPHC-contracted, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries trawl surveys, including Canadian and US border paperwork shipping compliance, various customs/tracking and offload service invoicing (lead: Gear/Bait).
Responsible for coordinating gear shack and gear repair, refurbishment and shipping (lead: Gear).
Responsible for the research and development of FISS gear, including electronic data capture components and biological sample storage containers (lead: Gear).
Responsible for writing requests for tenders (RFTs) for FISS bait supply, evaluating tenders received and recommending purchases, and coordinating bait deployment before and during the FISS season, as needed. In addition, the position coordinates settlement with the Finance and Personnel Services Branch who make payment of bait contracts, and bait and gear shipments and arrangements (lead: Bait).
Responsible for recruitment, hiring (interviewing and onboarding), training, deployment, supervising, debriefing and evaluating IPHC Secretariat for the FISS, other IPHC research projects on IPHC-contracted vessels, and the NOAA Fisheries trawl surveys (lead: Field Support).
Responsible for vessel and Secretariat deployment schedules and travel coordination and communication.
Coordinates, reviews and provides initial approval for payroll and expenses for all Secretariat in accordance with the organizational policies and guides. (lead: Field Support).
Comply fully with all IPHC policies, including but not limited to the Business Ethics and Conduct, and to declare any actual or potential perceived conflicts of interest (Secretariat staff are prohibited from holding any interest in the Pacific halibut industry).
A Senior Setline Survey Specialist may be appointed, and would act as the Setline Survey Coordinator, leading the FISS HQ team when the Setline Survey Coordinator is absent. The Senior Setline Survey Specialist is the designated representative of the FISS team in the absence of the Setline Survey Coordinator.
Data Management: The incumbent will lead FISS data management and integrity, including integration and optimisation of FISS electronic data collection (EaSea) software (lead: Data):
Participate in meetings and will document collection methods for data fields, tables, and FISS projects;
Assist with planning and documenting FISS station locations;
Develop interactive maps and data visualizations using FISS data for publication on the IPHC website, as well as for internal analytics and reference;
Assist with data editing and FISS reporting;
Lead FISS webpage content creation and maintenance.
Responsible for ensuring Secretariat use of the IPHC storage facility at the Marine Industrial Center adheres to established IPHC property inventory management and safety protocols.
Periodic safety inspection of the IPHC Maritime Industrial Center (at least once per quarter) to document and correct any safety concerns (lead: Gear).
In rotation with the other FISS Headquarters (HQ), will be required to be available at all times while IPHC-contracted vessels are under charter, unless expressly agreed by the Setline Survey Coordinator. This includes weekends and holidays as necessary to coordinate vessel activities. Cell phone coverage will be shared on a rotating basis in season.
May be required to go to sea on IPHC-contracted vessels periodically. The goal is to allow the FISS HQ to maintain current knowledge and experience of field operations. If necessary, may be required to substitute for Secretariat on a vessel in case of an unexpected emergency.
The position may travel to ports periodically. The goal is to meet IPHC-contracted vessels and/or have the opportunity to understand and have current knowledge of vessel offload operations in the Pacific halibut fishery. Port visits allow the incumbent an opportunity to formally meet individuals and organisations that are involved in FISS operations in person to assist in cultivating positive working relationships.
As in all positions at the IPHC, carry out other duties as assigned as part of a small and flexible organisation.

Benefits

Health Insurance through Kaiser Permanente (Platinum Plan)- enrolled on first day of first full month of employment (available for staff member and all immediate family members)
Dental Insurance through Delta Dental (available for staff member and all immediate family members)
Health Reimbursement Arrangement
Flexible Spending Account
Benefits Continuation (COBRA) (At employee’s cost)
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Group Specified Disease & Group Accident Insurance
Life Insurance
Retirement Savings Plans (403(b) program with employer contribution at a base amount of 7% of employee base salary, commencing on the first day of employment and an additional matching contribution of up to 5% of employee base salary beginning the day after completing 6-months of full-time employment.)
Educational Assistance
Annual Leave totaling 27 days per year & Sick Leave totaling 13 days per year