Biological Technician

<strong>Biological Technicians – NOAA Fisheries Sea-Going Surveys (Levels I–III)</strong><br><strong>Location:</strong> Woods Hole, MA (with assignments on NOAA and partner vessels throughout the Northeast U.S.)<br><strong>Position Summary</strong><br>Orchard is hiring Biological Technicians (Levels I–III) to support NOAA Fisheries’ Ecosystem Surveys Branch (ESB). Technicians collect and process biological samples and environmental data during fishery-independent resource surveys. Work includes at-sea survey participation (5–140+ days annually), data QA/QC, sample processing, and equipment support. This is a hands-on science role that directly supports stock assessments and ecosystem-based fisheries management.<br><strong>Responsibilities</strong><br><ul><li>Participate in sea-going surveys aboard NOAA and partner vessels (sorting, identifying, weighing, measuring fish/invertebrates, collecting biological samples for age, growth, maturity, genetics, diet).</li><li>Stand scientific watches of up to 12 hours/day at sea.</li><li>Operate electronic data acquisition systems for fisheries and oceanographic sampling.</li><li>Assist with deployment, calibration, and maintenance of survey gear, acoustics, and optical/video equipment.</li><li>Conduct QA/QC of survey data using NOAA protocols; prepare documentation of sampling procedures and metadata.</li><li>Annotate benthic imagery and optical survey data as directed.</li><li>Maintain, repair, and inventory sampling hardware (measuring boards, motion-compensated scales, barcode systems, touch screens).</li><li>Support cruise staging/de-staging, equipment prep, and vessel logistics.</li><li>Contribute to laboratory analysis of biological samples and assist with database management.</li><li>Train new staff (Levels II &amp; III) and provide leadership of field parties/watches at sea (Level III).</li><li>Summarize survey data, assist with reports, and contribute to outreach materials (manuals, protocols, blogs, newsletters).</li></ul><br><strong>Qualifications</strong><br><strong>General Requirements (all levels):</strong><br><ul><li>Experience working aboard research or commercial vessels.</li><li>Ability to work 12-hour shifts at sea for trips lasting up to 3 weeks.</li><li>Strong teamwork and communication skills in challenging field environments.</li><li>Must meet NOAA OMAO sea duty health criteria and provide proof of recent TB test.</li><li>Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with data entry and QA/QC practices.</li><li>Valid driver’s license.</li></ul><strong>Level I (Entry/Seasonal Technician):</strong><br><ul><li>Basic familiarity with marine species ID in the Northwest Atlantic (fish/invertebrates).</li><li>Coursework or experience in biological sciences preferred.</li><li>Able to assist with sampling, data recording, and shipboard organization under supervision.</li></ul><strong>Level II (Experienced Technician):</strong><br><ul><li>Minimum 2 years’ experience identifying fish and invertebrates in the Northwest Atlantic.</li><li>At least 1 year of experience with survey bottom trawls or shellfish dredges.</li><li>Experience with fishery sampling hardware (electronic boards, scales, barcode systems).</li><li>Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work independently.</li></ul><strong>Level III (Senior Technician):</strong><br><ul><li>Minimum 200 days at sea (Bottom Trawl Survey) or 100 days (Shellfish/Advanced Tech Surveys).</li><li>At least 2 years’ experience with electronic data acquisition systems.</li><li>Experience leading watches/field teams of up to 7 at sea.</li><li>Familiarity with acoustic net mensuration systems (Scanmar, Simrad, Marport).</li><li>Experience querying/analyzing fishery-independent data from relational databases (e.g., Oracle).</li><li>Ability to train staff, conduct QA/QC, and contribute to protocol development.</li></ul>