At-Sea Fisheries Technician

Closing Date: on-going recruitment

The Southwest Lobster Science Society (SWLSS) is seeking qualified candidates to join our team as At-Sea Fisheries Technicians. The At-Sea Fisheries Technician positions are seasonal with locations throughout Lunenburg, Queens, Yarmouth, and Digby, specifically looking for the Argyle to Liverpool general area at this time. The At-Sea Fisheries Technician positions are considered to be physically demanding as the majority of the work is performed at sea in various weather conditions. The At-Sea Fisheries Technicians will be required to travel and must have the ability to work flexible schedules including irregular hours during weekdays, evenings, weekends and holidays. Fieldwork involves exposure to all types of weather and sea conditions, as well as working in fast moving and relatively confined environments aboard fishing vessels of varying sizes. As such, the Fisheries Technician position is best suited for those who have experience working at sea.

Position Overview:

Duties and responsibilities:

•         Participate in At-sea bycatch monitoring onboard lobster vessels;

•         Communicate and/or confirm deployment locations and times with vessel Captains;

•         Collect and record accurate bycatch data as per Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) requirements including: species identification, measurements of finfish and crustaceans, fishing coordinates, trap depth, gear types, photograph unfamiliar species etc.;

•         Collect at-sea biological data on Lobsters including identification of male and female lobsters, carapace (body) lengths, shell hardness, and visual observations for injuries using standardized sampling protocols;

•         Conduct lobster tagging ;

•         Record and submit field data to the Lead Project Assistant in a timely manner;

•         Keep regular watch for marine mammals in the area and report any confirmed sightings of North Atlantic Right Whales, to DFO and/or Marine Animal Response Society (MARS);

•         Assist with other project functions as needed, including data entry, data cleanup, and equipment maintenance; and

•         Adhere to SWLSS’s operational and safety protocols.

Desired Qualifications:

A range of work experience and educational backgrounds will be considered, however, those candidates with experience working at-sea will be considered to be an asset.

•         Previous experience working at sea;

•         Experience within the fishery sector or with biological data collection that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position;

•         A meticulous mindset for collecting accurate and consistent data in the field; and

•         Marine Emergency Duties (MED) certificate is considered an asset.

Mandatory Requirements:

•         Must possess valid driver’s license AND own means of transportation;

•         Must possess a mobile phone;

•         Compile and collect neat, accurate, and consistent data;

•         Basic computer skills;

•         Familiarity of handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) units and associated functions;

•         Knowledge of basic arithmetic and data collection to meet sampling protocol requirements;

•         Possess strong verbal and written communication skills; and

•         Detail oriented and have strong organizational skills.

Physical Demands:

•         Able to handle varying sea conditions;

•         Able to lift crates of minimum 50 pounds; and

•         Able and willing to spend long periods at sea.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume describing your experience. We thank all applicants for applying and advise that only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Salary:

Day rate between $250 - $350 plus mileage and incentives based on the candidate’s experience, education, and overall suitability for the position. Meal allowance will be provided when applicable.

Send Applications by email to southwestlobster@gmail.com

Or by mail : 99 Water St, Yarmouth N.S. B5A 4P5