Bottom Longline Survey Support Marine Biologists

Saltwater Inc.
Saltwater Inc.

Customer Service

Pascagoula, MS, USA

USD 30-45 / hour

Posted on Jul 21, 2026

Bottom Longline Survey Support Marine Biologists

We are currently recruiting for two Bottom Longline Survey Support Marine Biologists – one position each for Level II and Level III. See below Requirements for each Level. These Survey Support positions will work as a contractor for NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Population & Ecosystems Monitoring Division (PEMD) providing support for the below Tasks.

Please note that we are recruiting proactively and do not yet have this position available. If awarded the work, this will be a full-time position. The Contractor shall work at the SEFSC Laboratory in Pascagoula, MS. The Contractor shall also be required to work on NOAA Ships, charter vessels, and/or small boats to carry out required duties and responsibilities. The contract has a one-year base period with a potential of three option periods.

TASKS

A. Resource Surveys: The Contractor will serve as Field Party Chief, Watch Leader, or Watch Stander on the SEFSC Bottom Longline Survey and other SEFSC resource surveys as needed. Survey participation shall include but is not limited to tasks associated with the following activities of Field Party Chief, Watch Leader, or Watch Stander on SEFSC resource surveys. The Contractor may also support non-survey related field work for other SEFSC research activities in similar roles.

    1. Field Party Chief Duties:
    • Writing/submitting cruise instructions and cruise reports
    • Ensuring all participant clearance forms are completed and submitted
    • Planning, coordinating and providing logistical support for the surveys
    • Coordinating with IT staff to ensure proper data collection and post-survey retrieval
    • Liaison between ship and science crews
    • Assisting in procuring, preparing and loading survey gear, bait, supplies and equipment
    • Coordinating daily vessel activities, personnel, vessel position and movements, and ports of call and monitoring weather and sea conditions with vessel staff
    • Conducting data collection, biological and/or environmental sampling and logging and processing data and/or samples under field conditions, as required
    • Reporting to the Branch Chief and Survey Lead with routine progress updates or any time there are issues that require alteration to the survey plan
    • Cleaning, unloading and storing equipment and logging and appropriately storing data upon completion of each survey
    • Conducting QA/QC of data for entry into the Survey database

    1. Watch Leader:
    • Assisting with pre- and post-survey inventory of equipment and gear
    • Preparing and loading survey gear, bait, supplies and equipment
    • In collaboration with the Field Party Chief, coordinating the activities of the Watch Standers and the deployment and retrieval of sampling gears
    • Conducting data collection, biological and/or environmental sampling and logging and processing data and/or samples under field conditions, as required
    • Unloading gear/equipment, cleaning and storing equipment, logging and appropriately storing data upon completion of each survey.
    • Assisting with QA/QC of data and entry into the Survey database

    1. Watch Stander:
    • Assisting with pre- and post-survey inventory of equipment and gear
    • Preparing and loading survey gear, supplies and equipment
    • Under direction of the Field Party Chief and Watch Leader, conducting data collection, biological and/or environmental sampling and logging and processing data and/or samples under field conditions, as required
    • Unloading gear/equipment, cleaning and storing equipment, logging and appropriately storing data upon completion of each survey.
    • Assisting with QA/QC of data and entry into the Survey database

B. Laboratory Support: The Contractor shall support, and in some instances lead, research activities as required. Will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of trophic studies on elasmobranchs captured during the SEFSC Bottom Longline Survey and other SEFSC surveys where appropriate, including laboratory maintenance and management, sample procurement, cataloging of samples, application of accepted stomach content analytical methods and presentation of results in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, assist and advise other SEFSC personnel tasked with assessing the diets of teleosts captured during SEFSC surveys. As multiple research activities are conducted beyond the annual Bottom Longline Survey, the Contractor will assist colleagues examining various aspects of shark biology and gear interactions. Such studies include, but are not limited to, investigations of distributions and movement patterns, age and growth, reproductive biology, population structure, taxonomy and gear selectivity of predatory fishes in the western North Atlantic Ocean.

C. Data Management Support: The Contractor shall perform entry and editing of research data and maintain databases for archiving and distribution of research data in accordance with Public Access to Research Results (PARR) requirements. This includes uploading of data to the appropriate SEFSC Oracle database, providing tag and biological sampling information to SEFSC colleagues, and maintenance of survey data associated with genetic samples collected during the Bottom Longline Survey.

D. Analytical Support: The Contractor shall conduct data analysis and summaries and provide data reports, publications and presentations. Follow all SEFSC publication review procedures prior to publication of any abstracts or manuscripts. Conduct advanced analyses including non-parametric and multivariate statistics. Additionally, will conduct spatial analysis, such as kriging, mapping and heat maps.

E. Support for Other Research Activities: The Contractor shall provide field and laboratory support for SEFSC projects and programs by participating on surveys and other field-based activities, loading and unloading vessels, storing required equipment, providing laboratory support for life history and other research activities, and supporting data editing and/or quality control procedures for other SEFSC units, as appropriate.

F. Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Strandings: Support marine mammal and sea turtle stranding activities, as needed. Tasks include walking beaches or riding in small boats to reach stranded animals; animal identification and measuring; bagging and transportation; and data submission.

G. Outreach and Education: The Contractor shall conduct and at times organize outreach events, as needed, to a wide-range of audiences. Examples of outreach and education activities include marine science education at local schools, participating as judges for local science fairs, conducting and participating in outreach and education tours of the Contractor’s duty station facility and NOAA ships (in conjunction with federal employees), and manning of outreach booths at local fairs and festivals.

H. Scientific Meetings: The Contractor may be required to prepare for and present, facilitate, or participate in various workshops, scientific meetings, symposia, and public forums.

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

LEVEL II Essential Qualifications:

  • MS Degree in Marine Science or a related field of study; or BS Degree in Marine Science or a related field of study, plus three (3) years of relevant experience.
  • Demonstrable field experience with multiple gear types (i.e. longlines, trawls, plankton collection devices), oceanographic equipment (e.g. side scan sonar, CTDs) and video technologies.
  • Knowledge of applying basic concepts, principles and methodologies of fisheries biology and survey design to independently perform scientific tasks using standard methods and techniques.
  • Experience with stomach content analyses and basic statistics associated with trophic studies.
  • Ability to accurately identify elasmobranchs, teleosts, and invertebrates indigenous to southeastern U.S. marine waters.
  • Computer literate and advanced competency with common word processing, database utilization and management (particularly, ACCESS and Oracle), statistical, and graphics programs.
  • Documented experience with management of large datasets and statistical analysis of data.
  • Ability to lead research projects to completion.
  • Experience in conducting public outreach events and public speaking.
  • Sea going contractors who participate on research cruises on Office of Marine and Aviation Operations’ NOAA ships will be required to annually/biennially (age dependent) submit a NOAA Health Services Questionnaire (NOAA Form 57- 10-01) and Tuberculosis Screening Form (NOAA Form NF 57-10-02) to OMAO health services to determine fitness for sea duty. Sea going contractors must have a current tetanus vaccine (once every 10 years).

LEVEL III Essential Qualifications:

  • MS Degree in Biology or related science and a minimum of 5 years of experience in fish biology, marine biology, oceanography, ecology, or related fields or BS Degree in Biology or related science and a minimum of 10 years of experience in fish biology, marine biology, oceanography, ecology, or related fields.
  • Demonstrable field experience with multiple gear types (i.e. longlines, trawls, plankton collection devices), oceanographic equipment (e.g. side scan sonar, CTDs) and video technologies..
  • Knowledge of applying basic concepts, principles and methodologies of fisheries biology and survey design to independently perform scientific tasks using standard methods and techniques.
  • Experience with stomach content analyses and basic statistics associated with trophic studies.
  • Ability to accurately identify elasmobranchs, teleosts, and invertebrates indigenous to southeastern U.S. marine waters.
  • Computer literate and advanced competency with common word processing, database utilization and management (particularly, ACCESS and Oracle), statistical, and graphics programs.
  • Documented experience with management of large datasets and statistical analysis of data.
  • Ability to lead research projects to completion.
  • Experience in conducting public outreach events and public speaking.
  • Sea going contractors who participate on research cruises on Office of Marine and Aviation Operations’ NOAA ships will be required to annually/biennially (age dependent) submit a NOAA Health Services Questionnaire (NOAA Form 57- 10-01) and Tuberculosis Screening Form (NOAA Form NF 57-10-02) to OMAO health services to determine fitness for sea duty. Sea going contractors must have a current tetanus vaccine (once every 10 years).

Levels II & III Desirable Qualifications:

  • Considerable experience with longline gear is preferred for this position.

Compensation

Salary range is $30 – $45 per hour, dependent upon experience.

EOE Culture

Saltwater Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace culture to attract the best talent and allow each member of our team to achieve their full potential and maximum productivity. Furthermore, Saltwater Inc. highly encourages qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply for positions for which they are qualified and to notify us if there are any needs for accommodation throughout the application process and/or upon hire.

How to Apply

Only qualified applicants with the requisite experience need to apply.

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