[MARMAM] Biological Scientist, Right Whale Aerial Observer, Florida

[Pitchford, Tom]

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: OPS BIOLOGICAL SCIENTIST I - FWC - 77903038

Position Number: 77903038

Requisition No: 702864

Posting Closing Date: 09/05/2022

Direct link to job posting: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job-invite/702864/


North Atlantic Right Whale Aerial Observer (Seasonal)

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI)

Section: Wildlife Research - Marine Mammals

Job Location: St. Augustine, FL (St. Johns County)

Rate of Pay: $17.00/hr; 40 hrs/week including weekends and holidays



Observer positions are temporary/seasonal, contingent upon funding, and will 
not be eligible for participation in State Group insurance benefits. 
Anticipated end date for this position is 4/2/2023.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES:

FWC's FWRI conducts research and monitoring activities for right whales in the 
southeastern United States. Projects focus on vessel-strike mitigation and data 
collection for federal assessment of the status and recovery of the North 
Atlantic right whale population. Aerial surveys are flown daily, weather 
permitting, from December 1st through March 31st. Observers collect in-flight 
survey data and right whale photo-documentation and assist with data entry, 
processing, and archival tasks as well as photo-identification. Observers also 
provide ground support for the aerial survey crew and must communicate 
effectively with partner state and federal agencies and NGO representatives, as 
well as the general public. Observers assist with vessel surveys and genetic 
sampling efforts as well as field necropsies of right whales, large whale 
disentanglement, and documentation of large whale reports from the public as 
needed.  Prior to the start of surveys on December 1st (dates TBA), applicants 
will be required to attend and satisfactorily complete aircraft and marine 
safety and survival training as well as training to introduce the skills and 
responsibilities of an observer with FWC's North Atlantic right whale program. 
Applicants must be willing to regularly work weekends, holidays, and evenings. 
Observer positions are temporary/seasonal and contingent upon funding.



QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor's degree in one of the biological sciences from an accredited 
university is required.

Preference may be given to candidates with previous aerial and/or marine mammal 
survey experience and practical knowledge of photo-identification techniques.

Preference may also be given to candidates who demonstrate experience in 
database entry and hands-on experience with digital SLR cameras and lenses.



KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Applicant must be able to: thrive in a small team environment and maintain 
successful working relationships; apply basic methods of data collection and 
field research; utilize problem solving techniques and work independently; 
carry-out daily manual labor (able to vertically lift at least 50 lbs.); excel 
under adverse field conditions including a full day seated in a small aircraft 
or aboard a small vessel; swim sufficiently to save oneself; and understand and 
correctly utilize applicable rules, regulations, and procedures.



TO APPLY:

Applicants are required to apply by completing a State of Florida Employment 
Profile online in People First 
(http://peoplefirst.myflorida.com) by 
midnight on the closing date stated.

Additionally, in order to be considered for this position, applicants must 
include a cover letter highlighting their interest in the position and relevant 
qualifications, a resume or CV, and contact information for at least three 
professional references.

If you experience technical difficulties during the application process, please 
call People First at 1-877-562-7287. (TTY applicants call 1-866-221-0268).





WHAT BENEFITS ARE APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

  *   State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
  *   Workers' Compensation - mandatory
  *   Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
  *   Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility 
requirements)
  *   Deferred Compensation - voluntary
  *   Employee Assistance Program - voluntary

 WHAT BENEFITS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO OPS EMPLOYEES?

  *   Any form of paid leave
  *   Paid holidays
  *   Participation in the Florida Retirement System
  *   Reinstatement rights or retention rights

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action 
Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans 
with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People 
First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority 
must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free w

[MARMAM] New publication: Cetacean acoustic occurrence on the US Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf from 2017 to 2020

[Katie Kowarski]

We are pleased to announce our recent publication available online!
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10./mms.12962


Kowarski, K.A., S.B. Martin, E.E. Maxner, C.B. Lawrence, J.J.-Y. Delarue,
and J.L. Miksis-Olds. 2022. Cetacean acoustic occurrence on the US Atlantic
Outer Continental Shelf from 2017 to 2020. *Marine Mammal Science*.
https://doi.org/10./mms.12962.

Abstract

Long-term distribution data for cetaceans are lacking, inhibiting the
ability of management bodies to assess trends and react appropriately. Such
is true even along the US Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) where
previous passive acoustic monitoring programs have laid the groundwork for
monitoring cetacean occurrence over a multidecadal scale. Here, we continue
and expand the scope of previous acoustic programs, providing a synopsis of
the monthly cetacean acoustic occurrence from late 2017 to late 2020.
Acoustic data were collected using bottom-mounted autonomous recorders
located at seven stations along the OCS in depths of 212–900 m. Automated
cetacean vocalization detector-classifiers were applied, and the resulting
automated detections directed the manual review of a subset of the data by
analysts. Only manual detections informed the occurrence results. Six
baleen whale species and at least eight toothed whale species occurred in
the region with diversity increasing in winter. In considering previous
monitoring program results, we found evidence that some mysticete whales
are spending less time in the region annually, confirmed that some species
occur farther offshore than previously reported, and identified two
previously unreported areas utilized by beaked whales. For effective
species management, these findings must be considered, and monitoring
programs continued.
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[MARMAM] Identifying suitable areas for common bottlenose dolphin in anthropized waters

[Guilherme Maricato]

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of my co-authors, I would like to share our new paper published
in Marine Biology. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions
(guilherme@gmail.com).

Title: Identifying suitable areas for common bottlenose dolphin in
anthropized waters

Authors: Guilherme Maricato, Rodrigo Tardin, Liliane Lodi, Leonardo L.
Wedekin, Fábio G. Daura-Jorge, Israel Maciel, Tatiana F. Maria and Maria
Alice S. Alves

Abstract: Understanding the processes that determine the occurrence of
species, especially for those exposed to human activities, is key to
appropriate management. The common bottlenose dolphin, *Tursiops truncatus*,
is well studied worldwide, but very little attention has been given to
transient groups of this species and how such groups are exposed to human
activities. Here, we modeled and mapped how the environment and human
activities drive bottlenose dolphin habitat suitability, and residence
patterns in an anthropized area of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. To
predict habitat suitability, we ran 300 distribution models, including six
algorithms, and generated an ensemble model. In parallel, we used
photo-identification techniques to investigate dolphins' residence
patterns. Our results demonstrated that primary productivity, seabed slope
and port activities explained dolphins’ habitat suitability. The most
suitable areas included coastal waters, nearby port complexes and shipping
routes. We also identified a low degree of residence in Cabo Frio and Rio
de Janeiro city waters, but calves were constantly sighted there,
indicating an important area for caring and nursing. The high overlap
between the dolphins’ most suitable areas and human activities, such as
ports, vessel traffic and fisheries spots, plus the presence of calves in
these areas, highlights the need for safeguard measurements to protect
these animals from anthropogenic threats. Our results can be used to
support management decisions, such as fisheries regulations and the
creation of new marine protected areas to conserve critical habitats for
this species.

Kind regards,
Guilherme

-- 
*Guilherme Maricato*
*Ph.D. Candidate in Ecology and Evolution (Rio de Janeiro State University)*
Marine Ecology and Conservation Lab (Facebook
 | Instagram
 | TikTok
 | Twitter
 | Website  |
YouTube )
Whales and Dolphins of Rio de Janeiro Project (Facebook
 | Instagram
 | YouTube
)
Lattes  | ORCID
 | ResearchGate
 | Others

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