Marine Mammal Stranding & Population Assessment Assistant

Apply now to join FAU on its race to excellence.

For more information on everything FAU has to offer, please visit www.fau.edu/jobs. 

Note: Current FAU employees must apply as an internal applicant by logging into their existing Workday employee account.

Position Summary:

The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Mammal Stranding & Population Assessment Assistant for our campus in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

FAU Harbor Branch, located in Ft. Pierce, is a research institute focusing on marine science and oceanography with over 200 scientists, staff and students that work and study at the site.  

 

• Performs as a NOAA NMFS authorized primary responder on marine mammal strandings and collects Level A stranding data, working in the field and office.
• Performs as a co-investigator on population assessment permit. Duties include boat-based surveys, photo analysis, data entry and data QA/QC.
• Assists with maintenance of vessels, vehicles, and equipment used for operations.
• Participates in on-call rotation with other members of the group.
• Assists in marine mammal necropsies
• Participates in presentations or other outreach activities regarding stranding and population assessments.
• Additional job-related duties as assigned.

FAU Benefits and Perks 

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers: 

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more. 

• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans. 

• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. 

• Sick Leave Pool Program. 

• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion). 

• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day 

• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply). 

 

For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php 

Explore Living in the Treasure Coast

The goal is to provide local employers and new employees in the area a comprehensive guide with places to live. View it here: Moving Here | Life in Treasure Coast FL

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution in an appropriate field of study, such as Biology, Environmental Sciences and one (1) year of marine mammal stranding response experience and related activities required.

Must have valid Florida driver’s license with acceptable driving record or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire required.

Florida certificate of Boating Safety Education required or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire required.

Successfully complete the USGS Motorboat Operator Certification (MOCC) within 6 months of hire required.

Experience driving various vessels in coastal and offshore waters required.

Ability to work flexible hours including on-call times weekly, weekend, and holidays to meet program objectives required.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills:

Experience with population assessment data collection, photo-ID boat surveys, photo analysis or database input.

Comfortable driving large vehicles and towing boats.

Ability to become a NOAA NMFS primary responder on marine mammal stranding activities (Article 3 and 4) required within one year of hire. Ability to immediately be approved for NOAA NMFS primary responder.

Experience with Microsoft Office.

Excellent verbal and communication skills.

Able to work within a team and independently. This includes collaborative activities with all stakeholders.

Salary:

$21.00 Hourly
Non-Exempt Support Personnel (SP)

College or Department:

HBOI: Research - MMRC

Location:

Harbor Branch (HBOI)

Work Days and Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Occasional work outside of regular hours. Participates in on-call rotation.

Application Deadline:

2026-06-15

Special Instructions to Applicant:

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE:

Applicants may claim Veterans’ Preference on their application. The applicant claiming preference is responsible for providing required documentation at the time of making an application in Workday for a vacant position, or prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If an applicant qualifies for Veterans' Preference and the SP position, they are shown preference by the guarantee of an interview. Veterans’ Preference does not guarantee a job. For additional information, please visit https://www.fau.edu/jobs/resources/veterans/. For assistance, please contact Recruitment Services at [email protected].


APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Resume
Cover Letter


OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:
Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS:
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at 561-297-3004 or send an email at [email protected]. To contact Human Resources, please call 561-297-3057. For communication assistance call 7-1-1.