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Biological Technician: Marine Biologist

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Edgewater, Maryland

Job Type Temporary
Salary Details $57,164
Deadline Jan 31, 2025
Experience 0 - 1 years

Location: Edgewater, Maryland, USA

Employment type: Full-time

Federal position? No

Salary: $57,164 per year plus benefits. This is a trust-funded (non-federal) position at GS7 (equivalent).

Duration: Initially for one year and is renewable annually, depending upon performance and available funding.

Work model: Telework eligible

Overview

The Smithsonian’s Marine Global Earth Observatory (MarineGEO) program seeks to support field research and data projects. MarineGEO (https://MarineGEO.si.edu) is a global network of partner sites, based at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland, that coordinates standardized observations and experiments across the network to understand how coastal ecosystems work—and inform actions to keep them working. The technician manages field, laboratory, and data activities in coordination with the MarineGEO Central team. MarineGEO field and data activities are focused on the benthic ecology of core nearshore habitats including coral reefs, oyster reefs), submerged aquatic vegetation, and fouling communities.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week. The standard schedule includes some weekend work and travel for weeks at a time. Teleworking is possible on some days but should be based locally since the technician will be expected to be in-person at SERC.

Key Responsibilities

Duties will include:

  • Field and laboratory marine research and support, including field sampling, identification of marine/estuarine organisms, design and execution of network experiments, and training of network partners on MarineGEO protocols;
  • Data collection. management, and basic analyses;
  • Assistance with travel/field preparation and logistics, including packing and shipping of equipment and supplies;
  • Serve as the MarineGEO safety liaison and ensure compliance with all SERC/SI safety protocols;
  • Assistance with preparation of publications and other forms of communication;
  • Participation in regular MarineGEO activities, including in-person and virtual team meetings; working group meetings and individual projects as needed;
  • Other duties as required.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • BA/BS degree, with MA/MS degree strongly preferred, in Biology, Marine Science, or related field.
  • Experience and interest working in nearshore marine habitats. Practical knowledge and experience in field research procedures, and in biology and taxonomy of marine and estuarine organisms, is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with statistical analysis, scientific writing, and data entry and management skills (Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, and R preferred)
  • Ability to operate small boats is required and boat trailering experience is preferred.
  • Scuba certification (e.g., PADI, NAUI, etc.) and diving experience are required (strong preference for scientific diving experience). Approval into Smithsonian’s Scientific Diving Program must be obtained within one year.
  • Capable of lifting heavy loads (up to 50 lbs) and working outdoors for extended periods of time.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to relate to and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and ages.
  • Ability to work as a team member on multiple projects.
  • Ability to travel to international and domestic field sampling locations for 1-3 weeks at a time and flexible working hours during these travels.
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and responsibility.

About SERC

SERC is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution, located in Edgewater, MD on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles west of Washington DC, and 40 miles south of Baltimore. SERC's 2,650-acre campus is a living laboratory for long-term ecosystem research on forests, farmland, wetlands, shorelines, and estuaries. The SERC campus contains a laboratory and office complex, as well as education and waterfront facilities, dormitories for interns, and guest housing for visitors.

The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital/parental/caregiver status and disability. Candidates for this position should be U.S. citizens or have a current visa/status that permits employment in the U.S. The SERC community recognizes the value of diversity in promoting innovative science and creative solutions, and we strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences and background to these positions. Competitive candidates will have some, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications and experiences, and we anticipate some on-the-job training will be provided.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should include a cover letter that clearly describes your fieldwork and data management experience, working independently as well as a member of a team, and training/education as these relate to the position. A current resume and an unofficial copy of your college transcript should also be included. Applications should be submitted by email to Katelyn DiBenedetto (DiBenedettoK@si.edu ), with subject line: Biological Technician – Marine Biologist (MarineGEO).

Contact

Katelyn DiBenedetto

DiBenedettoK@si.edu

When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.

Category Marine Biology
Tags GIS
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