Field Party Chief & Component Lead II — Mesophotic Deep Benthic Communities Survey
On-sitePanama City Beach, Florida, United States
Job Summary
Lead mesophotic and deep benthic reef surveys via ROV/AUV platforms, executing at-sea mapping, ground-truthing, and data collection per MDBC SOPs while coordinating vessel activities, personnel, and weather conditions. Manage survey preparation, equipment inventory, and participant clearance paperwork; write cruise instructions and reports on time. Serve as Field Party Chief or Watch Leader, conducting fish identification from all life stages, annotating ROV footage, and performing data QA/QC. Lead data management efforts by integrating bathymetric data with NCEI/NCCOS, maintaining database security, and developing automated outputs for AI/ML interoperability. Collate biological and acoustic data, develop reports, and present findings at scientific meetings and public forums. Onsite in SEFSC Laboratory or at sea in Panama City, FL; requires MS in Marine Science or equivalent experience with ArcGIS and ROV operations.
Required Qualifications
- MS degree in Marine Science or a related field, or BS degree plus 3 years of relevant experience
- Computer literate with common word processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs; capable of college-level reports and oral presentations
- Knowledge of ArcGIS, including Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions, for mission planning and spatial-distribution evaluation
- Knowledge of MDBC field sampling protocols to lead or participate in surveys
- Functional knowledge of ROV, AUV, and UUV operations, including developing logistical plans for at-sea operations using these assets
- Experience as lead data collector on at-sea surveys; skilled with shipboard software handling hydrological and biological data streams
- Proficient in fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification; knowledge of Gulf of America reef taxa
- Expert knowledge of major structure-forming invertebrates in mesophotic and deep benthic communities of the Gulf of America
- Knowledge of procedures for encountering endangered or threatened species
- Must submit a NOAA Health Services Questionnaire (Form 57-10-01) and Tuberculosis Screening Form (NF 57-10-02) annually/biennially
- Must have a current tetanus vaccine (within 10 years)
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