Marine Resource Specialist - Anticipated Vacancy

State of Maine•Boothbay, ME

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a scientific support role for an extensive fishery-independent survey along the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire. The project assesses bottom-dwelling populations and assemblages of groundfish and crustaceans out to the 100-fathom depth profile. Research is conducted on a 54’ contracted commercial groundfish boat. Up to 120 tows of a specially designed otter trawl are conducted between southern New Hampshire and the Canadian border each spring and fall. Participation on the survey cruise is essential, requiring statewide overnight stays for up to 6 days for 5 consecutive weeks. Overnight stays of 1 or 2 nights aboard the vessel may also be required. Safety of personnel and equipment are paramount in determining cruise schedules and operations; however, work is conducted in inclement weather and adverse conditions such as rough seas. Between cruises, this position will be responsible for purchasing equipment, repair/maintenance of gear and equipment, ordering supplies and equipment, completing cruise logs, processing biological samples, and preparing for each survey. The position will be responsible for data entry and quality control of the trawl survey database. The position will also assist in preparing data summaries for written and oral reports or presentations. The position will be assisting in DMR’s Ageing Lab and the ageing workup of certain species. Additionally, this position can assist in other projects at DMR as needed.

Requirements

Intermediate education, training, and/or experience in the compilation and summarization of scientific field and laboratory data including coursework or demonstrated experience in natural resource science, management, technology, laboratory, or field work.

Nice To Haves

Extensive at sea work experience and the ability to work independently under physically challenging conditions
Established, or have the ability and interest in establishing, relationships with fishing industry members
Ability to use ArcGIS, Microsoft Access, R or other statistical programs
Working knowledge of resource assessment survey techniques and sampling protocols
Knowledge/ability to identify marine organisms common in the Gulf of Maine
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Processing catch samples including enumeration, measuring lengths, weights and sex, and other biological information while on ship.
Participating in all survey tasks required on the vessel.
Purchasing equipment.
Repair/maintenance of gear and equipment.
Ordering supplies and equipment.
Completing cruise logs.
Processing biological samples.
Preparing for each survey.
Data entry and quality control of the trawl survey database.
Assisting in preparing data summaries for written and oral reports or presentations.
Assisting in DMR’s Ageing Lab and the ageing workup of certain species.
Assisting in other projects at DMR as needed.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
Health Insurance Premium Credit (Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
Retirement Plan (State contributes 14.11% of pay to MainePERS)
Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
Forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave
Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)