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Technical Officer - Kingfish Research

Sydney Institute of Marine Science

The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS, www.sims.org.au) is a not-for-profit collaborative research organisation bringing together four NSW universities plus state and commonwealth marine and environmental agencies. SIMS was recently awarded funding from the New South Wales (NSW) Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust to initiate a new flagship research program aiming to address some of the current knowledge gaps regarding the yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) stock.

This new kingfish research program will collaborate with recreational anglers to deploy a number of satellite tracking tags on large mature-sized kingfish to elucidate movements of the spawning stock and critical spawning habitats for NSW waters.

The Technical Officer will provide technical and logistical support to the research team for the coordination of marine field activities and engagement with the recreational fishing community.

Key accountabilities

  • Assist in the planning and execution of marine fieldwork across a broad geographic area in NSW in support of the project’s objectives.
  • Actively collaborate and develop opportunities to engage with NSW recreational fishers to meet the project’s objectives, including directly working with recreational fishers to catch and tag kingfish.
  • Coordinate equipment freight logistics between the research team at SIMS and regional collaborators.
  • Implement an effective communications program including regular social media updates to build a strong positive brand for the project.
  • Assist with the record keeping of equipment deployments and inventory.
  • Collection, entry and backup of data related to equipment deployments and satellite transmissions by the tags post-release.
  • Contribute to project reports and scientific outputs.
  • Operate a variety of equipment, vehicles and vessels, and handle live animals for research, in accordance with the organisation’s policy and procedures.

Key challenges

  • Ability to work both within a team and at times autonomously.
  • Ability to conduct fieldwork in a variety of hydrological and climatic conditions in coastal, offshore and challenging marine environments, with frequent state-wide travel.
  • Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders with varying expectations, viewpoints and interests to deliver results within agreed timelines.
  • Ability to balance competing demands, priorities, deadlines and changing schedules.

To be successful in this role, applicants will need to satisfy the following criteria

Essential requirements:

  • Experience in marine based fieldwork, boating and/or research.
  • Recreational fishing or game fishing experience.
  • Ability to conduct fieldwork in a variety of hydrological and climatic conditions in remote, offshore and challenging marine environments.
  • Ability to travel and be away from home for up to several days at a time, several times per year.
  • Ability to work proactively and collaboratively with colleagues, recreational fishers and researchers, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and professional behaviour.
  • Current Driver’s License.
  • Current NSW Boating License (or equivalent) and/or Elements of Shipboard Safety certificate.

Desirable skills:

  • Experience deploying scientific tags on fish or other marine animals.
  • A degree in marine science or equivalent qualifications relevant to the role.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, GIS and R software.

How to apply

To submit your application click Apply Now.

A position description is attached.

For more information about the role, please contact the project leaders Dr Fabrice Jaine at [email protected] and Dr Hayden Schilling [email protected] using the subject line: Technical Officer - Kingfish Research enquiry via EthicalJobs.

SIMS employees will need to be double vaccinated for COVID-19 or have a medical exemption.

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