Fisheries Research Specialist Advanced

Job Requisition:

JR101764 Fisheries Research Specialist Advanced (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Fisheries Research Specialist Advanced

Department:

CC00499 VIMS1 | RADV | MAP

Job Family:

Staff - Lab & Research Support

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Davis Hall

Primary Job Posting Location:

Posting Location - VIMS Gloucester

Job Description Summary:

The mission of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Unit Mission Statement:
Marine Advisory Services at William & Mary’s Batten School of Costal and Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) provides expert science-based information and assistance to the marine industry sectors to maximize efficiency, economy, and safety in the judicious utilization of marine resources. It carries through to the education of both the public and private sectors as to the importance, sustainability, and management of our marine environment and its resources to all citizens of Virginia.

Job Description:

The Fisheries Research Specialist, Advanced role performs advanced to expert level responsibilities in a laboratory, field setting, or for scientific research. This position engages in complex scientific procedures or research for a program manager, principal investigator or project director or by continuing to deliver scientific services while assuming additional supervisory and administrative responsibilities. Responsibilities include and are not limited to:

• Contribute to all elements of the life cycle of a research project from conception to completion.

• Contribute to the development and preparation of research proposals including literature searches, proposal writing and budget development.

• Contribute to development of field and laboratory research procedures

• Participate and in some cases lead the execution of field-based research projects.

• Oversee the training of employees on safety protocols and procedures including instrumentation and calibration.

• Oversee and conduct sampling, data entry and management.

• Perform data analysis, as needed; Engage in computer programing (such as automating and analysis - R, MATLAB, Python, SAS, GIS, webpage, etc.) to analyze data and generate reports

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, ecology, natural resource management, or the equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the position.

Competencies:

• Knowledge of recreational and commercial fisheries of the mid-Atlantic Bight and associated fishing gears used to conduct those fisheries.

• Ability to learn and execute various research protocols, including catch processing, gear monitoring and hydrographic and atmospheric data collection, among others.

• Working knowledge of laboratory and vessel safety procedures and processes, with the ability to implement laboratory procedures for a variety of experimental objectives.

• Strong analytical skills, with the demonstrated ability to analyze data and produce reports

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively as a collaborative team member.

Experience:

• Experience with finfish and invertebrate identification

• Experience using and maintaining research equipment

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

Master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, ecology or a closely related field.

Competencies:

• General understanding of offshore wind development and interactions between offshore wind and fisheries

• Knowledge and experience with video analysis for applied fisheries research.

• Excellent technical writing skills, evidenced by presentation and/or publication record.

• Demonstrated knowledge and skils in ArcGIS or similar mapping software

• Strong proficiency in a variety of software applications, to include Microsoft Office, as well as databases and web-based applications.

Experience:

• Experience working cooperatively with the commercial and/or recreational fishing industry• Experience participating in fishery-independent resource assessment surveys in the Mid-Atlantic region (ex. NMFS trawl survey, NJDEP trawl survey, NEAMAP) or as state/federal fishery observer

• Experience collecting and analyzing fishery-dependent data, fishery-independent data, and oceanographic data

• Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping software

• Experience with project management, data analysis, working in teams, working with minimal supervision in a field and lab setting

• Experience with data management and statistical analysis, utilizing statistical software

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

Research Program and Administration (20%)

• In collaboration with Principal Investigators, contribute to the development and preparation of research proposals including literature searches, proposal writing and budget development.

• In collaboration with Principal Investigators, contribute to development of field and laboratory research procedures.

• In collaboration with principal investigators, assure that research activities are in compliance with required protocols (e.g. safety, animal care).

• Contribute to the coordination of the research grant by tracking budget expenditures, compiling financial reports (for business mgr. or fiscal officer to generate), and evaluate appropriateness of purchase order requests and supplies.

• Independently communicate with vendors to compile information for supervisor approval

• In collaboration with Principal Investigators, arrange meetings and conferences with funders and stakeholders.

• Provide supervision, oversight and training to junior technical staff and students.

• Assist with data requests from outside organizations and agencies.

At-Sea Field Operations (40%)

• Participate and in some cases lead at-sea field operations for fishery-independent surveys and other field work in accordance with high scientific standards following prescribed sampling protocols.

• Oversee the training of employees on safety protocols and procedures including instrumentation and calibration.

• Maintain and organize supplies, equipment and electronics used during field work and at the lab.

• Ensure supplies and equipment are transported to and from lab to various vessels

• Ensure that equipment and supplies are cleaned, properly maintained, and stored in an appropriate manner after fieldwork is complete.

• Ensure equipment is in good working order, that data recording electronics are performing accurately and that supplies are sufficiently stocked. Communicate with PI and project scientist any equipment or supplies needs or issues.

• Working independently or with other members of the scientific staff, collaborate with the commercial crew during research cruises to meet sampling protocol and data collection requirements.

• Work with PI and project scientist to ensure that sampling protocols are appropriate and create new ones as needed as situations arise.

• Serve in the capacity of watch chief during field work. This includes overseeing junior staff and contractors and being responsible for accurate and efficient data collection and execution of field work. This also includes working with vessel captains to set cruise tracks, assess proper working course of action, setting scientific crew assignments and leading/participating in sampling processing efforts.

Post Field Work Operations (30%)

• Lead the laboratory-based aspects of the research program by coordinating the processing and archiving of biological material collected during field work (including but not limited to age and maturity data from shellfish and finfish, perform video and photo analysis).• Independently and in collaboration with Principal Investigators participate in the recording, management, analysis and presentation of collected data.

• Contribute to project deliverables including contract reports, manuscripts and presentations at professional conferences and meetings.

• Engage in outreach and extension with other research groups, stakeholders and/or the industry and public (extension activities may include giving presentations, but do not include providing advisory or regulatory services to committees).

Performance Management (10%)

• Ensures that expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit.

• Provides staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate.

• Confirms that staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals.

• Verifies that the requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and completes evaluations by established deadlines with proper documentation.

• Addresses and documents performance issues as they occur.

• Reviews safety issues and communicates as appropriate to ensure a safe and healthy workplace

Salary-up to $55,000.00 commensurate with experience

Conditions of Employment:

• This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive over-time in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and university policy. This position may require overtime, to include evenings, weekends and holidays to meet the business needs.

• This is a restricted position subject to availability of funding.

• Valid Driver’s license must be maintained throughout employment.

• Ability to successfully pass the VIMS at-sea survival training exercise. Remain current at-sea safety and survival techniques.

• Comfort working on research and/or fishing vessels during overnight research trips

• Ability to work on a commercial fishing boat for multiple days, and successfully perform all responsibilities while at sea, in all weather conditions, while resisting motion sickness.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. repeatedly over 16–18-hour workday, while at sea.

Physical Demands:
Climbing - Occasionally
The worker is subject to inside environmental conditions - Occasionally
Stooping - Occasionally
The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions - Occasionally
Balancing - Occasionally
Medium Work - Occasionally
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside. - Occasionally
Crouching - Occasionally
Kneeling - Occasionally
The worker is subject to potential exposure to high noise areas or impact noise such as moving machinery - Occasionally
Crawling - Occasionally
The worker is subject to vibration - Occasionally
Reaching - Occasionally
Standing - Frequently
Walking - Frequently
Grasping - Occasionally
Feeling - Occasionally
Talking - Constantly
Hearing - Constantly
Repetitive Motion - Frequently

Additional Job Description:

Job Profile:

JP0321 - Laboratory & Research Specialist II - Nonexempt - Salary - S09

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S09

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-06-02

Position Restrictions:

Restricted Funds

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Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.