MRIP Field Data Technician

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Hampton, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Virginia Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Field Technician will assist the MRIP state supervisor by conducting field surveys and office work linked to the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS). This important research study, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) conducts face-to-face interviews with marine recreational anglers. Field staff will travel to assigned sites to interview recreational anglers about their fishing trip, collect various information from anglers, and (when possible) weigh, measure, and identify harvested fish. Field assignments are 6-hour set sampling periods and can take place at beaches, shore-banks, marinas, piers, docks, and access points for private, charter, and head boats. Field surveying takes place from March 1st through December 31st and field sites are spread throughout the tidal portions of Virginia. This position will carry out a large percentage of the over 900 yearly Virginia APAIS field assignments with an average of 120-150 assignments assigned for full-time MRIP Field staff. This position requires individuals who can work 5 days a week including regular weekends. This position does require flexible availability and being able to work all of the following shift times: 8am-2pm, 2pm-8pm, and 11am-5pm. During the surveying season, this position will be primarily field-based with occasional in-office days at the VMRC main office in Fort Monroe, VA. More in-office work will be required during January and February when surveying does not take place. Other responsibilities for this position will include helping with quality control checks for part-time field staff on the APAIS. This position will also take part in office work, NOAA site registry maintenance, field site visits which ensures correct site information is used for the following year's site surveying schedule and assist the lead staff member conduct the weekly For Hire Telephone Survey (FHTS).

Requirements

Demonstrated communication skills and excellent organizational ability.
Ability to work independently and remotely with minimal supervision.
Extensive knowledge of the fish species and recreational fisheries of Virginia and the Atlantic Coast.
Field experience collecting biological data from finfish.
Experience relaying scientific studies to the general public
Must be willing to travel and work a flexible schedule including weekends and evening

Responsibilities

Successfully complete training, including survey procedures and fish identification tests
Perform on average 12 to 15 field assignments per month
Follow documented APAIS survey procedures for entering data into the field tablet
Travel to assigned fishing access sites to interview anglers about their fishing trip
When needed work field assignments scheduled on head boats (for-hire vessels) for at-sea data collection
Identify key finfish down to species level while in the field
Serve as a primary point of contact for hourly APAIS field technicians
Answer questions and explain the importance of this federally funded study and the need for recreational fishing data
Perform monthly quality control phone calls made to anglers previously interviewed by hourly APAIS field technicians
Help complete random quality control visits while hourly APAIS field technicians are at field assignments
Perform site visits during the winter months to update any site information for the following field surveying season
Check field fishing pressure estimates for field sites throughout the year
Perform other field and office tasks when needed
Assist the lead staff member complete the weekly tasks required for the FHTS