Research Specialist Advanced

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia (CBNERR-VA) strives to exhibit leadership in coastal zone management through innovative estuarine and coastal watershed science and education programs that promote natural resource stewardship and science-based solutions to complex socio-ecological challenges.

The Research Specialist – Advanced position contributes to the research and environmental monitoring activities of the CBNERR-VA thereby supporting the research, advisory services, and education mission of VIMS. Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Water Quality Monitoring Program support including calibration and maintenance of lab, vessel mounted, and field-deployable water quality instrumentation; deployment and retrieval of field-deployed instrumentation; on-vessel support of water quality mapping; multi-medium sample collection, processing, and analysis; and laboratory maintenance to provide clean and safe conditions.
• Other research program support including field and lab support (as generally outlined above) of Principal Investigator (PI) focused water quality and ecosystem-based research projects.
• Oversee, mentor and train lab and field methods and protocols to lower level staff and students.
• Data entry and record keeping including data entry, verification, and first-order quality assurance; and record maintenance with strict adherence to CBNERR- VA quality control protocols.
• Contribute as needed to the development and presentation of technical posters, reports, and manuscripts.
• Inventory and maintain, through procurement, proper level of supplies and equipment required to implement various research and monitoring programs.

Required Qualifications:

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in marine science, environmental science, biological science, chemical science, resource management, or a related field or the equivalent combination of education, training and or experience.
• Valid driver’s license
• CPR/First Aid certification (or achieved with 90 days of employment).
• Certificate of successful completion of a Coast Guard endorsed boating safety and/or VIMS trailerable Vessels Operator certification (or achieved within 90 days of employment).

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of estuarine/coastal science with emphasis on water quality and monitoring.
• Ability to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot (with possible repair) a variety of lab and field instrumentation
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to develop, as needed, and conduct research-oriented lab and field procedures.
• Proficiency in computer programming software that support development of technical products, data management, and data interpretation/analysis (ex. MS Office, R, GIS, and in-house developed QA/QC programs).
• Strong data management skills with ability to develop and follow lab standard operating procedures and quality assurance/control protocols.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and teach science-oriented processes, techniques and methodology, and lab/field safety to lower level employees and students.
• Ability to oversee and direct basic research operations including lab and field duties of lower level employees and students.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain lab and field equipment/supplies inventory and procure as required.
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with ability to present information to external contacts, lower level employees and students.
• Ability to work in and around water and estuarine/coastal environments and perform successfully under adverse weather conditions.

EXPERIENCE:

• Technical experience as related to operation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting (with possible repair) a variety of lab and field instrumentation (ex. water quality, weather, GPS, power tools).
• Demonstrated experience with data entry, management and first-order analysis.
• Extended experience working in labs and estuarine/coastal environments under varying weather conditions.
• Familiarity with vessel navigation protocols, small vessel operation and associated trailering.

Preferred Qualifications:

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental or marine science, or a closely related field.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or achieved within 90 days of employment).
• United States Coast Guard Captain’s License and/or VIMS Trailerable Vessels Operators Certification (or achieved within 90 days of employment).

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of estuarine/coastal science with emphasis on water quality and monitoring.
• Ability to operate, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot (with possible repair) a variety of lab and field instrumentation
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to develop, as needed, and conduct research-oriented lab and field procedures.
• High proficiency in computer programming software that support development of technical products, data management, and data interpretation/analysis (ex. MS Office, R, GIS, and in-house developed QA/QC programs).
• Strong data management skills with ability to develop and follow lab standard operating procedures and quality assurance/control protocols.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and teach science-oriented processes, techniques and methodology, and lab/field safety to lower level employees and students.
• Ability to supervise, oversee and direct research operations including lab and field duties of lower level employees and students.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain lab and field equipment/supplies inventory and procure as required.
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with ability to present information to external contacts, lower level employees and students.
• Ability to work in and around water and estuarine/coastal environments and perform successfully under adverse weather conditions.

EXPERIENCE:

• Multi-year technical experience as related to operation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting (with possible repair) a variety of lab and field instrumentation (ex. water quality, weather, GPS, power tools).
• Demonstrated experience with instrument data download, spreadsheet/database entry, data and file management, and first-order data analysis.
• Multi-year experience working in environmental monitoring and field-oriented programs and/or studies under varying weather/environmental conditions.
• Experience working on and operating vessels under varying field conditions, trailering small vessels, and familiarity with local (lower Chesapeake Bay) waters.