Job Description
Job Description
About the Role
The Fisheries Engineering & Acoustic Technologies Team (FEAT) at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) is seeking a Fisheries Acoustics Survey Technician to support its Newport, Oregon field station. FEAT is one of only three groups within NOAA specializing in fisheries acoustics and advanced technologies - including broadband echo sounders, uncrewed surface vehicles, and underwater optics - applied to fishery-independent stock surveys and ecosystem research across the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME).
This position directly supports the annual Integrated West Coast Pelagics (acoustic-trawl) Survey for Pacific Hake (Merluccius productus) - the primary fishery-independent survey conducted under the U.S.-Canada Pacific Whiting/Hake International Agreement. The technician will work alongside FEAT and FRAM scientists throughout the full survey cycle: pre-survey staging, at-sea operations, and post-survey closeout.
Position Details
Organization: NOAA Fisheries - NWFSC, Fishery Resource Analysis & Monitoring Division (FRAM), FEAT
Location: Newport Laboratory, Newport, OR; at-sea aboard NOAA research vessel (up to 100 days/year, up to one month at a time)
Anticipated Start: 3rd Quarter FY2026
U.S. Citizenship: Required
*Position is Subject to Contract Award
Duties & Responsibilities
Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Support FEAT Newport Research Station staff through all phases of the annual acoustic-trawl survey - preparation, at-sea execution, and post-survey closeout.
- Maintain, inspect, stage, and de-stage biological sampling gear and survey equipment per FEAT protocols.
- Perform routine wet-lab processing of trawl catches at sea, including species identification and biological sampling.
- Track, store, and transfer fixed biological samples for analysis; maintain gear inventory.
- Analyze collected Pacific Hake stomach contents and enter diet data into FEAT databases.
- Lead standardized field sampling protocols and provide at-sea training to survey participants to ensure data integrity.
- Operate data collection software and devices at sea as needed (e.g., EK80 echo sounders, Echoview).
- Contribute to final survey reports and support additional FRAM surveys as directed by FEAT/FRAM staff.
- Submit progress communications to FEAT/FRAM staff regarding deliverable status.
- Complete all required NOAA, NMFS, NWFSC, and FEAT trainings.
Education & Experience
Required
• Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology, Fisheries, Oceanography, or a closely related field (or equivalent experience with minimum 2 years in fisheries).
• Demonstrated at-sea research vessel experience.
• Ability to obtain NOAA medical clearance for sea duty (medical information must be submitted 30 days prior to cruise departure).
• Ability and willingness to spend up to 4 weeks aboard a vessel, working up to 16 hours per day.
Preferred
• Minimum 90 days of demonstrated at-sea field experience, including extended trips of at least 7 consecutive days.
• Familiarity with Pacific Hake biology, West Coast pelagic species, or acoustic-trawl survey methods.
• Experience identifying Northeast Pacific fishes using taxonomic keys.
• Experience analyzing fish stomach contents.
• Background in data management, analytical reporting, or environmental/biological data.
• At least 20 undergraduate credits in science coursework.
Skills
Required
• At-sea biological sampling and data collection.
• Physical fitness and resilience for challenging at-sea conditions.
• Detail-oriented sample tracking and database entry.
• Adherence to established field protocols with thorough note-keeping.
• Team-oriented; effective collaboration with FEAT/FRAM staff and NOAA vessel crews.
Preferred
• Fisheries acoustics equipment operation (EK60/EK80 or equivalent echo sounders).
• Echoview or similar acoustic data processing software.
• Trawl net operations and wet-lab sample processing.
• Pacific Hake stomach content analysis and diet database entry.
• Contribution to ICES WGFAST products.
Certifications & Clearances
The following are required prior to or at the start of performance:
- Medical clearance for sea duty aboard NOAA vessels (must be submitted 30 days prior to cruise departure).
- Successful completion of NOAA background check (allow 60–90 days for processing).
- Valid U.S. Passport.
- Valid driver's license.
- Marine safety training (Basic Safety Training or equivalent; must be completed or recently completed prior to sailing).
- NOAA IT Security, Safety, SASH Prevention, and Records Management 101 training (can be completed after hire).
Desired certifications:
- NOAA small vessel operator certification.
- Defensive driving certification.
- First Aid / CPR certifications.
Work Conditions
This role involves physically demanding at-sea work in challenging open-ocean conditions. The technician must be capable of working extended shifts (up to 16 hours/day) for multi-week periods aboard a NOAA research vessel. Land-based work is conducted at the Newport Research Station. Overtime is anticipated and authorized during active survey periods.
Travel is required. All travel is pre-authorized per Federal Travel Regulations. Government-provided equipment, IT gear, field supplies, and vessel accommodations are furnished for the performance of work under this contract.
Additional Requirements
- US. citizenship required.
- Must pass a NOAA background check and be cleared for public trust classification prior to beginning performance.
- All data, images, notes, reports, and field records collected under this task order are the property of the U.S. Government.
- Contractor personnel may be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for access to privacy information.
- Must comply with Department of Commerce Enterprise Cybersecurity Policy and NOAA IT security policies.