Marine Mammal Data Manager

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. AIS is looking for a Marine Mammal Data Manager to support SEFSC Marine Mammal & Turtle Division (MMTD).

Primary Function:

The Marine Mammal Data Manager will support data collection, management, and survey coordination within the SEFSC Marine Mammal and Turtle Division. This role oversees all aspects of field research activities from project design through data collection, management, sharing, and dissemination in coordination with Principal Investigators and MMTD leadership, ensuring compliance with NOAA data governance policy and FAIR data principles.

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Develop and update standard research protocols; ensure compliance with scientific research permit requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and Animal Welfare Act.
• Manage and curate data for accuracy and quality; ensure metadata is provided and data is properly stored, archived, and accessible in established cloud repositories per NOAA’s Data Governance Strategy.
• Apply the latest techniques and software for managing large and complex datasets (acoustics, photo-ID, omics, survey data).
• Collaborate with MMTD team members to formulate analytical solutions to marine mammal management questions integrating existing NOAA data streams.
• Run editing and validation procedures to maintain high-quality data for advanced analysis and varied data users.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Chief Scientist(s) to provide project planning, budget, and logistical support for ship and/or field surveys.
• Assist Project Investigators, MMTD, and Center Director in preparing ship time requests, justifications, and evaluating potential funding and time allocation scenarios.
• Oversee field survey equipment inventory, repair, maintenance, and storage, including forklift and crane operations as needed to prepare and load/unload equipment.
• Prepare survey equipment for loans nationally and internationally.
• Maintain and update MMTD website, including posting newsworthy stories, field survey blogs, and sharing briefings and reports internally and externally.
• Develop written technical reports and peer-reviewed publications; disseminate scientific results via presentations to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Attend planning and coordination meetings with MMTD researchers virtually or in person.

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:

• B.S. degree with 1 year of relevant research experience.
• Working knowledge of marine mammal or marine species data collection and processing.
• Experience managing complex datasets collected from varied surveys and observation platforms.
• Ability to work with other data managers to coordinate data processing efforts.
• Proficient technical writing skills to maintain adequate documentation of data processing protocols.
• Experience writing and editing technical reports describing data summaries and trends in scientific publications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in marine ecology, environmental science, oceanography, or a related field;
• Experience with cloud-based data repositories and NOAA data governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with FAIR data principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, Reusability).

Travel:

• Travel is required. Field participation in MMTD marine mammal and turtle research; survey equipment logistics; meetings, workshops, and conferences.

Location:

• 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami FL 33149 (SEFSC Miami Laboratory)