We are currently recruiting for Biological Services via a Marine Wildlife Response Technician. This individual will work with the Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) Protected Resources Division to support stranding responses to live and dead animals in the field and in NOAA facilities on Oahu, and to assist with associated data collection, data management, and administrative support.
This work is part-time (approximately half-time) and will be conducted in Oahu. Much of the work will be conducted in the field, and other work will be conducted at the NOAA Inouye Regional Center (IRC) on Ford Island, Honolulu. Physically conducting work at the IRC is generally not required, except during on‐site necropsies or related activities. The contractor will be on-call to respond to stranding events and other tasks as required.
We are looking for someone who is a leader, self-motivated, has experience responding to stranding events, and detail-oriented and able to manage databases. Below are the duties and requirements for this position.
Tasks:
Key tasks include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Task A ‐ The contractor shall receive response reports from the marine wildlife response hotline or other sources (such as police, state agencies, etc.) and conduct an initial assessment and/or dispatch staff and volunteers to conduct an initial assessment.
- Task B ‐ The contractor shall conduct stranding response activities (after initial assessment), including extraction and transport of deceased animals; securing a scene and providing initial support to live animals until veterinary or agency partner staff arrive; photo documentation and data collection; on‐scene monitoring and communicating status updates to NMFS staff; and providing on‐scene and remote support for the NMFS response staff and the University of Hawaii (UH) Stranding team.
- Task C ‐ The contractor shall coordinate logistics and assist in post mortem procedures, including post mortem exams, data and sample collection, processing, and storage; and carcass transport, processing, cold storage, and disposal (e.g., cremation or burial) in coordination with or under the guidance of NOAA or authorized designee.
- Task D ‐ The contractor shall compile, enter, and manage stranding response data, including completion of Level A stranding data forms and entering stranding data into NOAA’s online stranding data management systems (regional and national); compiling Hawaiian monk seal sightings data and entering into NOAA’s online monk seal data system; describing and entering data regarding monk seal behaviors, locations, and human‐seal interaction incidents.
- Task E ‐ The contractor shall coordinate, plan, schedule, and attend meetings and trainings with the response network members, volunteers, partner agency and organization staff, and other stakeholders.
- Task F ‐ The contractor shall assist with tracking, inventory, and distribution of response equipment and supplies.
- Task G ‐ The contractor shall conduct and coordinate public education and outreach activities, such as classroom presentations in local schools and informational booths at community events, using NMFS‐approved information and materials as appropriate. Identify and coordinate communications with key stakeholder.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School graduate with four (4) years of college level education including courses in the biological or scientific field.
- Experience conducting field work in Hawaii.
- Experience managing volunteers and/or working with volunteer organizations.
- Marine wildlife stranding response and/or marine wildlife handling experience.
- Marine conservation‐oriented public outreach experience.
Compensation: Salary range is $29 – $31 per hour.
