Fisheries GIS Analyst at Think Tank Inc. in Silver Spring, MD, USA

Job description

• The Fisheries Ecologist (Geospatial Analysis) supports the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) Fish Ecology Division by conducting advanced geospatial analyses to evaluate relationships among salmon populations, habitats, environmental conditions, and fisheries management actions across the Pacific Northwest. Working closely with NOAA scientists, natural resource managers, tribal representatives, and interdisciplinary research teams, the Fisheries Ecologist integrates spatial and remotely sensed datasets to develop ecological indicators, habitat assessments, and analytical products that inform fisheries management and conservation decisions.
• This position plays a critical role in developing and applying GIS-based analytical approaches, spatial indices, and habitat metrics that support fish life-cycle models and ecosystem-based fisheries management. The Fisheries Ecologist is responsible for processing and visualizing large geospatial datasets, maintaining reproducible workflows, participating in field data collection, and communicating scientific findings through reports, publications, and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Conducting advanced geospatial analyses to evaluate relationships among salmon populations, habitats, environmental conditions, and fisheries management actions across the Pacific Northwest.
• Integrating spatial and remotely sensed datasets to develop ecological indicators, habitat assessments, and analytical products that inform fisheries management and conservation decisions.
• Developing and applying GIS-based analytical approaches, spatial indices, and habitat metrics that support fish life-cycle models and ecosystem-based fisheries management.
• Processing and visualizing large geospatial datasets, maintaining reproducible workflows, participating in field data collection, and communicating scientific findings through reports, publications, and presentations.

Requirements

• Education – Bachelor's degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order with emphasis in fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, or hydrology.
• Experience – Three (3) years of experience related to the task order, including familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region. An Advanced Degree (MS or PhD) in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and experience writing reports and publishing peer-reviewed articles. Familiarity with common software used in the workplace such as Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Strong quantitative skills including familiarity with modeling and data analysis. Familiarity with software such as R, GitHub. etc. or GIS and with open science concepts.
• Strong background using GIS (ArcPro, QGIS, etc.) to collate and analyze large spatial datasets.
• Ability to manage workload, stay organized, and produce high-quality work products efficiently.
• Ability to work both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.
• The proposed personnel must possess and maintain the following skills/certifications and/or credentials during the period of performance: valid driver's license.
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) for Tasks 1-3 highly preferred.
• Peer-reviewed publication record in fisheries ecology, quantitative ecology, or related field.
• Collaboration with tribal representatives and regional resource management partners.
• Presenting results at regional and national scientific meetings and conferences.
• Familiarity with Pacific salmon, groundfish, or other NOAA WC managed species.
• Experience with Bayesian or hierarchical modeling approaches.
• Remote sensing data analysis (Landsat, LiDAR, or equivalent).

Skills

Required

• Valid driver's license