Research Associate II

University of Miami•Miami, FL

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS) invites applications for a full-time Research Associate II to work with NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources (OPR) on the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project. We seek an individual to work with OPRs Sea Turtle Program to assist with several priority activities within the DWH Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project. The incumbent will primarily work with OPR staff to fulfill the responsibilities of the interim Texas Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN) coordinator role. The incumbent will also assist OPR staff with other tasks related to STSSN coordination including data entry, data management, data analyses, and the compilation and collation analytical results. The incumbent will participate in sea turtle emergency response events (e.g., cold stunning, oil spills) in the Gulf of America, and will participate in the development and implementation of projects related to sea turtle standings and mortality within the scope of the Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project. Location: This position will be hired as a remote position, with no office workspace provided. Travel: Travel to Texas and/or other Gulf States will be periodically required to conduct coordination activities, for project-specific meetings, necropsy-related tasks, and to assist with emergency response. Travel to conferences may also be required (conference attendance is reviewed on a case-by-case basis).

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree or higher.
A minimum of 2 years of experience working directly with the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN).
Knowledge and understanding of the operation of the STSSN and familiarity with Texas STSSN partners, including federal, state and private response organizations and rehabilitation facilities.
Knowledge and experience working with scientific data management, including the proficient use of the National STSSN database related to data entry and data validation protocols.
The ability to handle multiple tasks and responsibilities, good time management, and work under guidance of a collaborative and diverse team.
The ability to work independently as well with other employees in a diverse group setting, and a strong attention to detail.
Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills with strong organizational skills and ability to plan daily duties.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Excellent oral and written communication, including the ability to write reports for STSSN partners and the public.

Responsibilities

Serve as the interim Texas STSSN Coordinator, which includes continual coordination with federal, state and private agencies/organizations that operate as Texas STSSN participants.
Ensure annual training for stranding and emergency response is provided and tracked for Texas STSSN participants.
Coordinate with USFWS to obtain the necessary authorizations for Texas stranding responders to handle threatened and endangered sea turtles
Maintain an inventory of stranding and necropsy supplies and supply needs for Texas STSSN participants
Enter stranding and necropsy data into the National STSSN Database, verify records, and conduct data/file management; prepare and/or support the development of data summaries, analyses, reports, and manuscripts.
Provide support for the implementation and management of the DWH Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project, as needed and requested by OPR staff
Coordinate with NMFS Gear Monitoring Team to assist efforts to reduce bycatch of sea turtles in the Gulf of America shrimp fishery, as needed and requested by OPR staff
Ensure restoration project tasks are implemented and outcomes are in line with the overall project goal of sea turtle bycatch reduction in support of Gulf of America DWH sea turtle restoration
Work with the Sea Turtle Early Restoration Project team to develop annual reports and annual spend plans for each project component.
Assist with sea turtle emergency response events (e.g., cold stunning events, oil spill response) in the Gulf of America.
Co-manage and assist with the tracking of HAZWOPER training/certification of stranding responders for emergency response preparedness
Assisting with necropsies or necropsy-related tasks, as needed and requested by OPR staff.