Survey Coordinator / Analyst Level III (Gulf Video Survey)

*US Citizenship Required

*Position is Subject to Contract Award

Perform as a Survey Coordinator, Field Party Chief, or Survey Watch Stander for reef fish surveys conducted on NOAA Ships and Small Research Vessels and participate on other PEMD resource surveys, as requested. Critical analytical skillsets are required for estimation of abundance trends and representing the survey during stock assessment processes. Requires work on NOAA Ships and/or small Research Vessels and coordinating a field crew in fisheries and water quality sampling and experience at troubleshooting issues with limited resources while at sea. This role focuses on survey coordination more than at-sea technical duty, but still may require filling personnel gaps for technical jobs when at sea and during the video review process. In addition, this role requires analytical skill sets required to create abundance indices and provide support at SouthEast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) data workshops, and additional analysis.

a) Survey Duties

Survey Coordination requires focused project management skills, clear and effective communication, adherence to survey SOP's, and knowledge of survey design and analysis. Additionally this position will often still be needed at all other at-sea duties. At sea duties focus on video camera and CTD deployments, habitat mapping, and other environmental data collection. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Assists the Gulf and Caribbean Reef Fish - Branch Chief (GCRF-BC) in coordination of all aspects survey preparation, execution, and completion for the Gulf - Fishery Independent Survey of Habitat and Ecosystem Resources (G-FISHER) and the Puerto Rico Deep Water survey (PRDW).


• Writes and/or reviews survey instructions/reports to ensure timely completion for survey execution and follow through on necessary approval paperwork.


• Helps set survey schedules and coordinates logistical support for supplies and equipment needs with GCRF-BC.


• Manages GitHUB Project Management tool to ensure consistent communication with GCRF-BC and personnel.


• Liaison between ship and lab/participants/TAS program.


• Coordinates daily vessel activities, personnel, vessel position and movements, ports of call and weather and sea conditions (FPC sea duty).


• While at sea conducts data collection, biological and/or environmental sampling and logging and processing data and/or samples under field conditions, as required and according to prescribed SOP (FPC sea duty).


• Complete incident reporting procedures as necessary in accordance with applicable NOAA Small Boat Program requirements (FPC sea duty).


• Unload, clean and store equipment. Log and appropriately store data upon completion of each survey (FPC sea duty).


• Works with OMI personnel to manage Oracle databases and associated data entry applications.


• Ensures staff understand that data collection proceeds using provided SOP.


• Coordinate and ensure data backups are completed by Field Party Chief

b) Laboratory Duties

Survey Coordination requires vigilance using the GitHUB project management tool to keep video reading and review duties on time. Primary duties revolve around annotation of video for habitat and species detection and enumeration. Collected video data is annotated using a semi-automated multi-stage process including 1) automated processing in Google Cloud Platform using VIAME software, 2) human-in-the-loop review and correction, 3) data review and QA/QC, 4) data output/ingest into GCRF Oracle databases, 4) updating GitHUB data for updates and project management. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Video annotation reviewer.


• Subject matter expert for identifying marine fishes in all life stages from diverse habitats of the Gulf of America and the Caribbean Sea.


• Assist in implementing VIAME into the QA/QC review process.


• Updating and managing GitHUB project for status updates.

c) Data Management Support

Survey coordination duties involve managing data projects via GitHUB project management tools, acting as a liaison between OMI to update Oracle databases and ensure data standardization, quality, requests/delivery, backups, and security. In the near future these will also include determining and setting standards for automated data outputs to ensure interoperability and democratization of datasets. Primary duties include but are not limited to:

• Data steward and liaison with OMI


• Help integrate the SEAMAP Reef Fish Video and Panama City Video data sets into a singular Oracle database for GFISHER.


• Manage data backups and security with OMI personnel.


• Work with FATES personnel to integrate new automated data output and to meet standards for interoperability of AI/ML algorithms and libraries.


• Manage video data annotation entry projects


• Manage GitHUB project management tool to keep projects on track.

d) Analytical Support

Survey coordination roles involve preparing analysis of abundance data for presentation and defense at SEDAR data workshops and assessment reviews. Publication of manuscripts from original research. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Maintain knowledge of relevant scientific literature, provide support for data analyses and develop data summaries.


• Manage analysis projects using GitHUB project management tool.


• Estimate relative abundance indices for focal GCRF species in support of SEDAR and SEAFiSh


• Estimate species distribution models of reef fish abundance using GIS and advanced statistical methods


• Provide annual support for SEFSC Ecological Status Reports.


• Develop data reports, publications and presentations. Conduct preparation of manuscripts for publication in accordance with SEFSC publication review and publishing procedures.


• Coordinate abstracts, presentations, and any resultant publications with the GCRF-BC


• Attends professional meetings and publishes advances in peer review literature.

e) Outreach and Education

Participate in public outreach and education efforts. Examples of outreach and education activities include marine science education at local schools, participating as judges for local science fairs, conducting and participating in outreach and education tours of the SEFSC facilities and NOAA ships (in conjunction with federal employees), manning of outreach booths at local fairs and festivals.

f) Scientific Meetings

Contractor may be required to prepare for and present, facilitate, or participate in various position related workshops, scientific meetings, symposiums, and public forums. Events consist of, but are not limited to the following:

• Attend scientific meetings (e.g., American Fisheries Society, Larval Fish Conference, Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography) and present scientific results, as required.

• MS Degree (or higher) in Marine Science or a related field of study or a related field of study plus five (5) years of relevant experience.


• Computer literate and experienced with common word processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs. Capable of writing reports at advanced levels (i.e. publication) and making oral presentations.


• Knowledge of Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program field sampling protocols for reef fish, in order to lead or participate in GCRF surveys.


• Experience as lead data collector on at sea surveys. Knowledge and skills in using shipboard software that handles data streams for hydrological (SCS), and biological data (SEAL).


• Proficient in the use of fish, invertebrate, and protected species identification books and keys. Knowledge and identification of reef taxa from the Gulf of America.


• Knowledge of procedures when encountering endangered or threatened species.


• Sea going contractors who participate on research cruises on Office of Marine and Aviation Operations' NOAA ships will be required to annually/biennially (age dependent) submit a NOAA Health Services Questionnaire (NOAA Form 57- 10-01) and Tuberculosis Screening Form (NOAA Form NF 57-10-02) to OMAO health services to determine fitness for sea duty. Sea going contractors must have a current tetanus vaccine (once every 10 years).