Scientist Subject Matter Expert - Habitat Modeler (Arlington, TX)

Scientist Subject Matter Expert - Habitat Modeler

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Scientist to provide support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration s Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) in La Jolla CA. OAI supplies personnel support services on contract to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species. BACKGROUNDThe Marine Mammal & Turtle Division (MMTD) of the SWFSC conducts research on marine mammals and sea turtles to monitor trends in abundance and provide management advice to domestic and international bodies. MMTD is seeking support services for analyses to identify relationships between cetacean densities and distribution and environmental variables to estimate population size and trends for cetaceans in the California Current ecosystem to generate data products for various non-NOAA stakeholders and for developing new methods for generating habitat- and density-surface models. Travel is anticipated.Average estimated hours per week are 35 to 40. Telework is permitted if approved in advance. Start Date April 1 2019Location La Jolla CA 92037 Salary and Benefits Commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package. DUTIESKey tasks include but are not necessarily limited to the following Build spatially explicit models of cetacean density for the CA Current marine ecosystem using line-transect data collected from SWFSC surveys between 1991 and 2018. Models will be used to construct cetacean density surfaces identify relationships between cetacean density and environmental factors as measured by in-situ oceanographic and prey data and ROMS oceanographic data and estimate population size and trends for cetaceans in the CA Current. Present research findings at meetings and or conferences. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCESelected individual(s) must have the following minimum qualifications PhD from an accredited college or university with a major directly related to the requirements of specific task order with emphasis in marine science fisheries oceanography mathematics or statistics. Must be a skilled programmer in the R Programming environment Demonstrated expertise evidenced through multiple peer-reviewed journal publications in Developing spatially-explicit models of animal occurrence and density as a function of oceanographic variables in the California Current Working with visual line-transect data in a DAS file format for cetaceans within a distance sampling statistical framework Building cetacean density surface models using oceanographic data outputs from the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) Spatial ecology of cetaceans in the California Current marine ecosystem Experience providing cetacean density surface layers that can be incorporated into Navy s Marine Species Density-Database (NMSDD) Experience developing Bayesian statistical models Must be a DenMod working group member. This working group was developed for the purposes of advancing the state of the art of marine species density surface modeling and to facilitate NOAA and NOAA collaborators providing the highest-quality analysis products to the Navy and other stakeholders in the appropriate formats for those users. Candidates currently working within this context will be the most qualified to perform the required tasks Additional preferred qualifications include Experience participating in SWFSC systematic shipboard and aerial surveys for maximal familiarity with the data. If you are interested in being considered for this position please APPLY THROUGH OCEANASSOC.COM ADP WEB PORTAL.Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed. Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education. Education. Previous experience or training with similar requirements. Three professional references. Include your name in the document file name. Upload your resume in readable not scanned PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). In compliance with federal law all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire and successfully complete a federal government background check. Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.