Fisheries Economist

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline.

Primary Function:

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Social Sciences Branch (SSB) conducts applied economic and sociocultural research on the use and management of commercial and recreational fisheries, protected species resources, and marine ecosystems. This research relates economic and socio-cultural dimensions to impacts of marine resources management in the North Atlantic. The SSB also participates in the development of regulations and analyzes the resulting impacts of proposed and final fishery management actions. In order to fulfill their role, they must gather a variety of data from fisheries related stakeholders, analyze this data, then make that data available to decision makers and the general public. AIS is looking for an experienced economist to support the SSB.

Duties/Responsibilities:

At a high level, this employee will participate in:

• Model and Decision Support Tool Development such as Development of decision support tools, bio-economic models, integrated ecosystem models, models of fishing vessel profits/costs, angler behavioral models, seafood markets and trade models, aquaculture models, and fisheries economic and social impact models
• Social Science Assessments and Research such as:
  • Asses economic benefits and costs due to changes in ecosystem conditions, and management strategies
  • Assess of benefits / trade-offs of policy options
  • Predicting fundamental changes in benefits / distribution of benefits from environmental events, policy change, etc.
  • Developing and implementing fundamental economic and social indicators for assessing catch share and non-catch share fishery performance
• Development of web site data visualization tools for commercial, recreational, fishing communities, and other fisheries-related data such as online automated reporting tools, fact sheets, maps, infographics
• Data modeling, processing, management, and automation such as:
  • Conducting fundamental data processing, spatial trend analyses, imagery analysis, etc. for comparative assessments of commercial, recreational, and other fishing-related indicators or performance measures
  • Development and integration of fundamental geospatial production and database modeling techniques through innovative technology
• Dissemination of economic and sociocultural research via outreach (fact sheets, infographics, web sites) and sponsoring sessions at professional conferences, particularly research on ecosystem service valuation, integrated ecosystem assessments, fisheries bycatch modeling, allocation, and/or other key NOAA Fisheries economic and sociocultural research focus areas

Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated and total compensation will vary depending on candidates’ depth of experience. This is a full–time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must have at least Master’s degree in Natural Resource Economics or related field

Must have experience with:

• Community organizations with local perspectives, experiences, and knowledge related to, but not limited to, environmental justice and community-based impacts of climate change and regulatory change.

• Fielding multiple national, regional and/or state-level surveys at the same time
• Program planning and management in a team environment
• Developing performance metrics and milestones
• Working with diverse interagency teams
• Commitment to collaborative open science practices that improve the transparency and reproducibility of the work
• Working independently with strong time management skills
• Adaptability to quickly changing priorities
• Attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Working with marine fisheries information programs or other science-based programs

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctorate in Natural Resource Economics or related field

Travel:

Travel may be required to NMFS Regional Office in Gloucester, associated laboratories (e.g., Narragansett, RI); Fishery Management Councils; and Fishery Commissions. Additional travel to other locations may also be required, including foreign travel, for example to assist in presenting scientific findings at a conference

Location:

166 Water St., Woods Hole, MA 02543