Real-Time Acoustics Analyst (Marine Resource Scientist I)

State of Maine • West Boothbay Harbor, ME

1d

About The Position

This position is a real-time passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) analyst within the Division of Marine Mammal Research at the Maine Department of Marine Resources. This position will be part of a team primarily responsible for real-time and post-deployment processing of passive acoustic monitoring data for North Atlantic right whales across multiple instruments and data streams. This position will focus on real-time detection review, quality control, and interpretation of acoustic data to support near-real-time management and operational decision-making. This position will assist with deployment, recovery, refurbishment, servicing, and procurement activities necessary to maintain and advance real-time PAM infrastructure. This position will manage post-deployment data archiving and processing workflows, remain current on relevant literature and regional monitoring efforts, and work closely with the Real-Time PAM Program Lead to support reporting, presentations, and publications. Once acoustic datasets have been processed, this position may have the opportunity to contribute to focused analyses using detection, occurrence, or acoustic metrics generated by the program, including supporting instrument evaluation and/or development efforts. As needed, the position will work across DMR programmatic lines, including with other projects within the Division of Marine Mammal Research and the Division of Ecology and the Environment.

Requirements

• Entry level education, training, or experience in a scientific, technical, or engineering discipline with demonstrated experience in the field of marine resource research and management or another related field.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with passive acoustic analysis, real-time PAM workflows, and/or deploying, retrieving, or servicing passive acoustic equipment.
• Knowledge of cetacean biology, ecology, and/or behavior, particularly vocal behavior.
• Ability to demonstrate strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• An ability to work independently as well as cooperatively within a team.
• Ability to demonstrate strong organization skills and be detail oriented.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in PAM, bioacoustics, sound propagation modelling, radio communications, mechanical/electrical engineering, and/or statistical modeling.
• Experience with PAMGUARD, Triton, Raven, LFDCS, MATLAB, and/or R software are preferred.
• Prior experience participating in offshore research cruises is preferred.

Responsibilities

• real-time and post-deployment processing of passive acoustic monitoring data
• real-time detection review
• quality control
• interpretation of acoustic data to support near-real-time management and operational decision-making
• assist with deployment, recovery, refurbishment, servicing, and procurement activities necessary to maintain and advance real-time PAM infrastructure
• manage post-deployment data archiving and processing workflows
• remain current on relevant literature and regional monitoring efforts
• work closely with the Real-Time PAM Program Lead to support reporting, presentations, and publications
• contribute to focused analyses using detection, occurrence, or acoustic metrics generated by the program, including supporting instrument evaluation and/or development efforts
• work across DMR programmatic lines, including with other projects within the Division of Marine Mammal Research and the Division of Ecology and the Environment

Benefits

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed