University & Research Assistant Coordinator

Chincoteague Bay Field Station is a residential field station of the Marine Science Consortium. We are located near a wealth of ecologically significant and environmentally rich, productive, and pristine habitats such as saltmarshes, barrier island beaches, cypress swamps, and maritime forests. Chincoteague Bay Field Station provides outstanding multi-disciplinary educational and research opportunities in the mid-Atlantic Coastal region through field-based and hands-on learning, often in affiliation with multiple public and private partners. The Field Station provides a unique set of educational and research experiences, expands research collaborations among partners including member universities, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and other public and private partners, and expands and enhances programs for pre-college, university, and adult learners.

Position Description:

Do you enjoy working with faculty and university students? Do you like to organize people and things? Are you interested in field equipment and aquaria?  Do you want to learn more about the Mid-Atlantic Coast? If yes, the University and Research Assistant Coordinator position might be right for you. This highly demanding, but rewarding job best fits individuals who work well both independently and as part of a team. Candidates must demonstrate superior organization and problem solving skills, time and group management skills, and enthusiasm for education, research, and the environment. You will gain valuable program planning and coordination experience, as you assist the University and Research Coordinator in running university field trips, summer courses, maintaining equipment and aquaria, and serving as a liaison to the university student community. The University and Research Assistant Coordinator will also gain experience overseeing college summer staff, including summer intern supervisors and interns. You will gain valuable and diverse knowledge regarding aquarium and field equipment use and maintenance, boat crew skills and boat safety, group leadership in laboratory and field settings, time management, and marine husbandry.

Benefits:

• Salary:  $27,000 – $29,000 DOE
• On-station staff housing provided:  semi-furnished 800 sq. ft. two bedroom apt, one bathroom, kitchen and living room, central heat and A/C, shared with 1 roommate (no partners or pets, can be discussed)
• On-station meals when programs in session
• Free laundry facility attached to housing
• Opportunities for continued professional development and networking

Key Responsibilities:

• Process pre-arrival paperwork and confirm housing and meal arrangements
• Inspect college housing and labs before, during, and after use
• Prepare equipment, labs, and housing for use
• Enforce CBFS protocols and rules on CBFS property and in the field while working with university faculty, students, and peers
• Escort university groups on fieldtrips
• Act as first mate on research vessels.  Handle lines, deploy equipment, and enforce safety procedures, clean vessels, and any other tasks with which the captain desires assistance
• Demonstrate proper usage of research equipment
• Clean and provide routine maintenance for field and lab equipment
• Clean and maintain aquaria and live organism collection
• Communicate with faculty and students via email and phone
• Supervise Summer Assistant and Interns
• Drive CBFS vehicles including 15 passenger vans, trailers, and school buses (Commercial Driver’s License may be obtained during job training)
• Process summer course registrations
• Assist with social media and outreach projects as needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to marine science, environmental studies, or biology
• Able and willing to work weekends and evenings
• Valid driver’s license with 2 or fewer moving violations in the past 2 years and no DUI or DWI charges
• Ability to obtain NASA security clearance for Wallops Island
• Enthusiasm for education, research, and the environment
• Must have CPR/First Aid/AED certification that will be valid for at least 1 year after employment

 Desired Qualifications

• Experience as a team leader or supervisor
• Organized and detail oriented
• Experience on boats, recreational or professional
• Experience establishing and maintaining aquaria, and fish care
• Enthusiasm for education, research, and the environment
• Experience working with college students and/or faculty
• Experience working in a residential community Physical Requirements
• Able to lift and move 50 lbs. repeatedly
• Able to walk long distances and stand for long periods
• Able to kayak 5+ hours
• Able to work on a boat repeatedly bending and lifting objects for 6+ hour