This Marine Fisheries Technician will work on various phases of estuarine bottom habitat mapping and shellfish abundance surveys in the state’s estuaries for the Bottom Mapping Program and Shellfish Lease Program.  Position duties for the Bottom Mapping Program include delineating and mapping bottom type using GPS and related GPS data processing software; identifying shellfish and SAV; sampling shellfish and SAV densities; collecting, analyzing, recording, coding, and verifying biological data for computer entry; operating sampling boats, trailer, and equipment; maintaining and repairing sampling boats, trailers, and equipment. The Shellfish Lease Program allows the permitted use of qualifying public trust waters to culture and grow molluscan shellfish for commercial production.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Shellfish lease site investigations and administration of proposed shellfish leases.
• Map bivalve and SAV habitat and verify marking of shellfish leases
• Field sampling and the opportunity to work with GPS and GIS technologies.
• Participation in other Division programs such as Shellfish Rehabilitation and Oyster Disease programs.
• Work includes pulling and hand raking, regularly lifting up to 50 pounds, operating and maintaining the shellfish leasing vessel fleet, and working in an outdoor environment. 
• Use of mapping equipment and associated software, which may include Trimble, Bad Elf, and various side scan sonar to collect, process, and analyze benthic habitat data.

The Division of Marine Fisheries

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is responsible for the stewardship of the state’s marine and estuarine resources. The DMF’s jurisdiction encompasses all coastal waters and extends to 3 miles offshore. Agency policies are established by the nine-member Marine Fisheries Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality. North Carolina is a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Click here to learn more about the Division of Marine Fisheries. 

The NC Department of Environmental Quality:

The primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and works to advance in all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina's needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life. Please visit our website at the Department of Environmental Qualityfor more information. 

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

This position is located in: Carteret County, NC, Morehead City

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position.  Resumes will not be reviewed in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application.  Click these links for additional information: Introduction to the Job Application and Addressing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.  

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL the following: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of sampling techniques.
• Experience operating and/or maintaining boats or trailers.
• Experience with word processing and/or spreadsheets. 

Applicants who were born after January 1, 1988, must comply with the requirements for boating safety education, General Statute 75A-16.2.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Associate's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.