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.