Survey Watch Stander and Video Annotation Specialist

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking a Survey Watch Stander and Video Annotation Specialist - Mesophotic Deep Benthic Communities Survey to support the Southeast Fisheries Science Center’s Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division and Gulf and Caribbean Reef Fish Branch. This proposed role will support at-sea mapping and ground-truthing missions, underwater video annotation, benthic habitat data management, scientific analysis, reporting, and public outreach. *Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award.

The Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities program supports restoration work associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The program surveys reef communities at depths ranging from approximately 50 to 1,800 meters using remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, acoustic mapping, visual ground truthing, and other research platforms. Survey data are used to detect, classify, and enumerate corals, sponges, octocorals, crustaceans, mollusks, fishes, and other benthic fauna and to evaluate restoration progress.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Survey Watch Stander and Video Annotation Specialist will include the following:

• Serve as a Survey Watch Stander for Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities surveys conducted aboard NOAA ships and small research vessels.
• Participate in other Population and Ecosystems Monitoring Division resource surveys, as requested.
• Support at-sea mapping and visual ground-truthing missions as a Field Party Chief or Watch Leader.
• Coordinate field crews conducting fisheries, biological, environmental, and water-quality sampling.
• Follow established Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities data collection and survey standard operating procedures.
• Complete pre-survey and post-survey inventories and maintain survey equipment and gear.
• Conduct biological and environmental sampling and log and process data or samples under field conditions.
• Complete incident-reporting procedures for applicable NOAA small-boat operations.
• Apply subject-matter expertise to identify fishes and other biota associated with mesophotic and deep reef habitats.
• Annotate, review, and perform quality assurance and quality control on remotely operated vehicle video footage.
• Review and correct semi-automated annotations produced through C-Vision tools and human-in-the-loop workflows.
• Manage video review and annotation tracking sheets.
• Enter, correct, and validate data in Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities databases and associated data-entry applications.
• Maintain survey metadata and assist with updates to survey standard operating procedures.
• Compile existing bathymetric information for portions of the Gulf of America between approximately 50 and 1,800 meters.
• Coordinate bathymetric data activities with the National Centers for Environmental Information and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Biogeography Branch.
• Update video annotation and project management tools.
• Prepare and validate data before analysis.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant scientific literature and support data analyses and scientific summaries.
• Develop basic data reports, presentations, graphs, and visual products based on survey results.
• Assist with reports and scientific manuscripts.
• Participate in marine science outreach and education activities, including school programs, science fairs, laboratory and ship tours, fairs, and festivals.

 

 

Qualifications

The Survey Watch Stander and Video Annotation Specialist should have the following:

• A master’s degree in marine science or a related field of study; or a bachelor’s degree in marine science or a related field of study and at least one year of relevant experience.
• Computer literacy and experience with common word-processing, database, statistical, and graphics programs.
• Ability to prepare reports at the college level and deliver oral presentations.
• Experience serving as a data collector during at-sea surveys.
• Knowledge and skill using software that handles hydrological and biological data streams.
• Proficiency using fish, invertebrate, and protected-species identification books and keys.
• Knowledge of and ability to identify reef taxa from the Gulf of America.
• Expert knowledge of major structure-forming invertebrates found in mesophotic and deep benthic communities of the Gulf of America.
• Knowledge of procedures to follow when encountering endangered or threatened species.
• Ability to coordinate field personnel and troubleshoot operational issues with limited resources while at sea.

Work Environment

The position is based at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center laboratory in Panama City, Florida. Work will be performed in laboratory, office, field, dockside, and at-sea environments aboard NOAA ships, charter vessels, and small research vessels.

Personnel participating in research cruises aboard NOAA ships must complete applicable NOAA medical and tuberculosis screening requirements and maintain a current tetanus vaccination. Domestic and international travel may be required to support surveys, workshops, and working-group meetings. Nighttime, weekend, and overtime work may be required before, during, and immediately following at-sea surveys and other field activities. All overtime and travel must receive the required advance authorization.

About Lynker

 

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

 

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

 

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

 

* This position is not currently funded and is contingent upon contract award. Employment is subject to successful completion of any required background checks and security processing required by the customer.

 

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.