Survey Watch Stander / Video Annotator Level II (Gulf Video Survey)

*US Citizenship Required

*Position is Subject to Contract Award

Perform as a Survey Watch Stander for reef fish surveys conducted on NOAA Ships and Small Research Vessels and participate on other PEMD resource surveys, as requested. Requires work on NOAA Ships and/or small Research Vessels as part of a field crew in fisheries and water quality sampling and experience at troubleshooting issues with limited resources while at sea.

a) Survey 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:

• Survey watch stander.


• Pre survey and post survey inventory of equipment and gear.


• Preparing and loading survey gear, supplies and equipment.


• Cleaning and maintenance of equipment.


• Preparing and tracking supply use.


• Conducting 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.


• Unload gear/equipment, clean and store equipment, log and appropriately store data upon completion of each survey.

b) Laboratory Duties

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:

• Annotate GFISHER and PRDW video data based on prescribed SOPs for the survey.


• Identify marine fishes in all life stages from diverse habitats of the Gulf of America and adjacent seas


• Updating annotation tracking sheets.


• Communicating with reviewers and survey coordinator on annotations.

c) Data Management Support

Basic duties include data entry, QA/QC, and validation. In the near future these will also include learning the use of AI/ML software and managing outputs to post-process data. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Identify marine fishes in all life stages from diverse habitats of the Gulf of America and adjacent seas


• Data entry or upload into GCRF Oracle databases.


• QA/QC of data entry and fixes where necessary.


• Updating annotation tracking sheets and GitHUB project management tools.

d) Analytical Support

Basic duties include data preparation and validation prior to analysis, assisting in drafting reports and manuscripts, and review. Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Assist data analysts with data entry, QA/QC and fixes.


• Assists data analysts in analysis to the extent possible, drafting reports, creating graphs and basic review.


• Tracking assigned duties in GitHUB project management tool.

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.

• MS Degree in Marine Science or a related field of study or BS Degree in Marine Science or a related field of study plus two (2) years of relevant experience.


• Computer literate and experienced with common word processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs. Capable of writing reports at the college level.


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


• 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).