Acoustic Analyst - Acoustic Studies of the California Ecosystem (Arlington, TX)

Acoustic Analyst - Acoustic Studies of the California Ecosystem

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an Acoustic Analyst 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. Background The exceptional sound propagation characteristics of the ocean lend itself to applications for studying the marine environment. The objective of this project is to apply both active and passive acoustic data from the California Current to aid in ecosystem assessment and population assessment of protected species. Passive acoustic data analyzed from archived recordings will allow the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Project Lead to update population assessment models for beaked whales in the California Current. 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 Salary and Benefit Commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package. DutiesKey tasks include but are not necessarily limited to the following Analyze beaked whale acoustic data that was collected from drifting recorders deployed during the California Current Ecosystem Survey (CCES) to detect localize and classify to species level and upload all data to the Tethys database. Conduct exploratory analyses of active acoustic data and assist in the development of a research plan for integrating active acoustic assessments of biomass for cetacean assessment research surveys. Analyze acoustic data following methods developed by NMFS Researchers including debugging software developing a set of training data and developing training materials. The incumbent will assist with training workshops including the Society of Marine Mammalogy Conference in Barcelona Spain. Participate in fieldwork and stranding response on an as needed basis including driving government vehicles when necessary to complete tasks. Other Duties Include Provide NMFS Project Lead with all digital data from analytical processes (including but not limited to Pamguard databases & binary files R data output summary reports etc.). Provide a final report summarizing database products and if appropriate user instructions to the NMFS Project Lead by the end of the Period of Performance. Provide the final training data set and training materials (in digital format) to the NMFS Project Lead one week prior to the conference event and no later than the end of the Period of Performance. Provide the NMFS Project Lead with a final report summarizing all field activities participated in no later than the end of the Period of Performance. Required Knowledge and Experience Selected individual(s) must have the following minimum qualifications Bachelor s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major directly related in a field of study as related to the requirements of specific task order with emphasis in fisheries oceanography social science natural science mathematics or hydrology plus two (2) years of experience in related field or combination of such totaling six (6) years combined education and experience. Three years of experience using EchoView software to analyze active acoustics data for biomass estimation. Three years of experience (including at least 1-year field experience) using Pamguard and or Triton software to analyze sounds associated with odontocetes. Three years of experience (including at least 2-months field experience) using Pamguard and or Triton software to analyze beaked whale echolocation clicks. Three years of experience programming in Matlab and or R programming languages. One year of experience analyzing anthropogenic noise in the marine environment. One year combined field experience working with towed hydrophone arrays AND autonomous hydrophones (drifting and or moored). Experience using Tethys database. Additional preferred qualifications include Experience building & repairing towed hydrophone arrays and autonomous hydrophones (drifting and or moored). Experience on NMFS cetacean abundance surveys. 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.