Scientific Technical Writer 2 (Arlington, TX)

Scientific Technical Writer 2

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking a Scientific Technical Writer II Observer Support to provide support to the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Regional Office (ARO) in Seattle WA. OAI supplies personnel support services on contract to government and industry clients for marine fisheries and protected species. This person filling this position will provide expertise in North Pacific groundfish observer programs and will prepare written documents update and maintain databases and serve as an important liaison between the North Pacific observer program office the NMFS Office of Law Enforcement other agency staff and the fishing industry to support the mission of the NMFS in the Seattle offices of the ARO.The Alaska Region of NOAA Fisheries oversees sustainable fisheries that produce about half the fish caught in US waters with responsibilities covering 842 000 square nautical miles off Alaska. The Alaska Region also works to ensure the viability of protected species principally marine mammals and to protect and enhance Alaska s marine habitat. The Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division (FMA) monitors groundfish fishing activities in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Alaska and conducts research associated with sampling commercial fishery catches estimation of catch and bycatch mortality and analysis of fishery-dependent data. The Division is responsible for training briefing debriefing and oversight of observers who collect catch data onboard fishing vessels and at onshore processing plants and for quality control quality assurance of the data provided by these observers. Division staff process data and make it available to the Sustainable Fisheries Division of the Alaska Regional Office for quota monitoring and to scientists in other AFSC divisions for stock assessment ecosystem investigations and an array of research investigations. Applicants should have a Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological or social sciences and three (3) years demonstrated experience in gathering data and or materials from multiple sources and preparing documents scientific papers or technical reports. A Master s degree and one (1) year experience may be substituted. North Pacific groundfish observer experience is also required. This is an excellent opportunity for a person with a strong background in technical writing and substantive familiarity with North Pacific groundfish observer programs to work with a NOAA team and make contributions to fisheries management in the North Pacific. Salary and BenefitsThis is an hourly position with generous employee benefits. Salary commensurate with experience.DutiesThe Contractor shall provide the following services Specific Tasks Task 1 - Liaison with Observers Observer Program Office (OPO) Staff agency staff and Industry. 1) Develop and prepare observer data and reports as requested by Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) staff for internal use the Northern Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) and other fishery management organizations.2) With emphasis on enforcement develop and review technical reports papers and analysis for regulatory and program review and revision.3) In consultation with OLE sworn staff provide guidance and assistance to OPO staff and observers on compliance roles identification of potential violations regulations and monitor training programs for regulatory accuracy.4) Develop and provide compliance assistance and outreach material for OPO staff observers stakeholders and observer contractors.5) Maintain regular interactions with Seattle OPO staff observers stakeholders and observercontractors.6) Prepare enforcement sections of outreach and observer program reports to the NPFMC andreview and contribute to other sections of reports as assigned.7) Provide quarterly reports on original observer data held as evidence.8) As assigned provide contributions to OLE semi-annual reports to the NPFMC. Task 2 - Training Assistance and Program Development1) In consultation with OLE sworn staff prepare and maintain current enforcement training presentations and reference materials for recurring training sessions.2) Prepare for coordinate and or assist with enforcement training presentations for observers observer program staff and other stakeholder groups. Present enforcement segments of observer training as required.3) In consultation with OLE sworn staff maintain current enforcement reference manuals and materials for use by OPO staff and observers.4) In consultation with OLE sworn staff prepare and review current regulation and compliance sections of the Observer Sampling Manual.Task 3 - Investigative Assistance1) In consultation with OLE sworn staff assist in evaluating statements of potential violation(s) and complete observer program and OLE database entries for observer generated statements of potential violation.2) Collect organize and prepare reports on violation trend data.3) Provide investigative assistance to AKD sworn staff in support of investigations such as reviewing and preparing data records and technical information relevant to the case.4) Assist OPO staff managers and observers in identifying and documenting potential violations.5) In consultation with OLE sworn staff provide analysis of observer complaints for FOIA requests other OLE reports and investigations. Task 4 - Administrative Support1) Provide program travel training and material estimates for budget planning.2) Maintain procedural guides for entering data and other administrative processes associated with the position s duties. Travel to provide outreach to the Observer Program(s) to assist in investigations and to attend related conferences is anticipated.Required Knowledge and Experience Selected individual(s) must have the following minimum qualifications A Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological or social sciences and three (3) years demonstrated experience in gathering data and or materials from multiple sources and preparing documents scientific papers or technical reports. A Master s degree and one (1) year experience may be substituted.North Pacific Groundfish Observer experience is also required. Additional preferred qualifications include Experience with technical writing to include scientific publications presentations procedural guidelines outreach documents and legal documentation.If you are interested in being considered for this position you MUST APPLY THROUGH OUR WEBSITE ONLY. Go to OCEANASSOC.COM click on Now Hiring find the position you wish to apply for click the For More Information link for that position follow instructions on the page to apply. (no emails)When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of the online application. Include your name in the document file name. Sending your resume in readable (not scanned) PDF or Word format is preferred.