Research Technician/biologist - Esquimalt, Canada - Archipelago Marine Research

Description

Fisheries Research Survey Technician/Biologist

Fisheries Monitoring Programs

Coastal, BC

Are you passionate about sustainable seafood and the marine environment? Want to help look after our ocean resources? Excited about an adventure on the ocean? Archipelago is seeking hard working and motivated individuals to work with commercial fishers and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) biologists to conduct fisheries research surveys.

Additional work opportunity exists with field work for dockside fisheries monitoring, marine habitat surveys and environmental monitoring projects depending on qualifications and availability.

WHAT KIND OF WORK CAN YOU EXPECT?


You will be trained to:

• Document fisheries research fishing event information for each survey location fished.
• Identify all fish and invertebrate species captured to the lowest possible taxonomic level during fisheries research surveys.
• Collect biological samples from fish captured during research survey fishing events according to protocols developed by DFO and Archipelago.
• Document descriptive information about each survey and any interesting biological observations made in a comprehensive report.
• Enter fishing event information, catch data and biological data into a fisheries research database.
• Fisheries research survey trips are typically seven (7) to forty (40) days in duration. Multiple shorter trips can occur consecutively over a period of twenty (20) to thirty (30) days. During this time survey staff are on the water and away from port during this time.
• Fisheries research surveys typically depart from Ucluelet, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Nanaimo or Victoria and transportation to the departure port will be coordinated by project management staff.
• Fisheries research survey work will be supplemented by landbased activities including training, travel, dockside monitoring, biological sampling and data quality review.

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

• Health Spending Account after 3 months of employment.
• RSP matching for long term employees.
• Group health and dental benefits plan for long term employees.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Performance and Success Sharing Program for long term employees.
• A commitment to sustainability and the environment within all our operations.
• Staff funding programs for local and global nonprofits.
• Experience in species identification and biological sampling of fish and invertebrates of BC.
• Experience in field sample and data collection and reporting for fisheries resource monitoring.
• Experience in supervision, inventory management, staffing, logistics and coordination.
• Beautiful oceanside views.

WHAT DO YOU OFFER?

• A great attitude with strong communication skills.
• Experience working at sea and a lack of susceptibility to motion sickness.
• Completed at least one year of postsecondary education in a related discipline including current students and recent graduates majoring in marine biology, resource management, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental science, and environmental technology.
• Experience accurately recording data (at sea preferred).
• Experience performing simple dissections.
• Experience with species identification.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent math skills (experience with accounting an asset).
• A demonstrated ability to work long hours under adverse conditions and without supervision.
• Domestic Vessel Safety training (formerly MED A1/A2) and Occupational First Aid Level 1 certification will be considered assets.
• No employment or ownership stake in a commercial fishing or processing operation.
• A willingness to consent to a criminal record check.
• The job is physically demanding, and applicants should be capable of lifting baskets of fish (50+ pounds) and climbing ladders up to 25 feet to board fishing vessels.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Wages range from $252 to $285 per day while working at sea commensurate with experience. An additional 8.2% ($272.66 to $308.37 per day equivalent) will be added to daily pay in lieu of vacation and statutory holiday pay.
• An additional $25 per day is provided to staff in a lead role on research survey assignments.
• Wages for landbased activities (dockside monitoring, biological sampling, travel, training and data quality review) range from $21.65 to $22.60 per hour with an additional 8.2% ($23.42 to $22.45 per hour equivalent) in lieu vacation and statutory holiday pay.
• Travel expenses, meals and accommodations are provided during travel to and from assignments within coastal British Columbia.
• Accommodations will be provided when working on landbased activities in Ucluelet, Port Hardy or Prince Rupert.
• We anticipate fisheries research survey work to occur between midJuly and the end of November 2023 with additional landbased field work opportunities when not participating in surveys.

Application Deadline:
April 28, 2023


Note:
Interviews may be conducted throughout the posting peri