Protected Species Observer

Coastwise Consulting Inc. is seeking to subcontract qualified individuals to monitor impacts to protected species during marine construction projects on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Qualified individuals will generally have a B.S. in Marine Biology, Ecology, or a related field, and experience with sea turtles, marine mammals, manatee and/or sturgeon. Specialized or extensive experience with these species may be substituted in lieu of educational experience.

Most projects involve two observers living and working onboard ships for periods of 20 – 30 days, although this can vary depending on individual preference. Typically, two observers work 12-hours each to provide 24-hour monitoring. Accommodations on many of these vessels are quite comfortable.

Observers must have the ability to interact with ship and construction crews in a friendly and professional manner, physically inspect equipment that may require walking, bending, climbing, crawling, and sometimes lifting 20-50 pounds. Observers must be able to identify various species of sea turtles, marine mammals and sturgeon, complete by-catch analyses of various species of marine life using field guides, and record and report all findings in a clear and detailed way.

Requirements:

• Must reside and be legally able to work in the United States
• Must be able to obtain a TWIC card for job site access
• Must be in good physical condition and able to stand, walk, bend, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs
• Must be able to identify sea turtles and marine mammals to species level
• Must have the ability to identify by-catch species using field guides
• Must work well both independently and with others
• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to handle/ sample living and dead marine life
• Must have reliable transportation and/or be capable of arranging travel to and from job sites