Fisheries Research Specialist Advanced

Fisheries Research Specialist Advanced

Job Requisition: JR101764
Department: CC00499 VIMS1 | RADV | MAP
Job Family: Staff - Lab & Research Support
Worker Sub-Type: Regular (benefited)
Primary Location: Davis Hall (Posting Location - VIMS Gloucester)
Salary: Up to $55,000.00 commensurate with experience.
Job Profile: JP0321 - Laboratory & Research Specialist II - Nonexempt - Salary - S09
Compensation Grade: S09
Recruiting Start Date: 2026-06-02
Position Restrictions: Restricted Funds

Institutional Mission

The mission of William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service.

The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

Unit Mission Statement

Marine Advisory Services at William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) provides expert science-based information and assistance to the marine industry sectors to maximize efficiency, economy, and safety in the judicious utilization of marine resources. It carries through to the education of both the public and private sectors as to the importance, sustainability, and management of our marine environment and its resources to all citizens of Virginia.

Position Overview

The Fisheries Research Specialist, Advanced role performs advanced to expert level responsibilities in a laboratory, field setting, or for scientific research. This position engages in complex scientific procedures or research for a program manager, principal investigator or project director or by continuing to deliver scientific services while assuming additional supervisory and administrative responsibilities.

Core Responsibilities

Research Program and Administration (20%)

• Contribute to the development and preparation of research proposals in collaboration with Principal Investigators, including literature searches, proposal writing and budget development.
• Contribute to the development of field and laboratory research procedures in collaboration with Principal Investigators.
• Assure that research activities are in compliance with required protocols (e.g. safety, animal care) in collaboration with Principal Investigators.
• Contribute to the coordination of the research grant by tracking budget expenditures, compiling financial reports (for business mgr. or fiscal officer to generate), and evaluate appropriateness of purchase order requests and supplies.
• Independently communicate with vendors to compile information for supervisor approval.
• Arrange meetings and conferences with funders and stakeholders in collaboration with Principal Investigators.
• Provide supervision, oversight and training to junior technical staff and students.
• Assist with data requests from outside organizations and agencies.

At-Sea Field Operations (40%)

• Participate and in some cases lead at-sea field operations for fishery-independent surveys and other field work in accordance with high scientific standards following prescribed sampling protocols.
• Oversee the training of employees on safety protocols and procedures including instrumentation and calibration.
• Maintain and organize supplies, equipment and electronics used during field work and at the lab.
• Ensure supplies and equipment are transported to and from lab to various vessels.
• Ensure that equipment and supplies are cleaned, properly maintained, and stored in an appropriate manner after fieldwork is complete.
• Ensure equipment is in good working order, that data recording electronics are performing accurately and that supplies are sufficiently stocked.
• Communicate with PI and project scientist any equipment or supplies needs or issues.
• Collaborate with the commercial crew during research cruises to meet sampling protocol and data collection requirements, working independently or with other members of the scientific staff.
• Work with PI and project scientist to ensure that sampling protocols are appropriate and create new ones as needed as situations arise.
• Serve in the capacity of watch chief during field work, including overseeing junior staff and contractors and being responsible for accurate and efficient data collection and execution of field work, working with vessel captains to set cruise tracks, assess proper working course of action, setting scientific crew assignments and leading/participating in sampling processing efforts.

Post Field Work Operations (30%)

• Lead the laboratory-based aspects of the research program by coordinating the processing and archiving of biological material collected during field work (including but not limited to age and maturity data from shellfish and finfish, perform video and photo analysis).
• Independently and in collaboration with Principal Investigators participate in the recording, management, analysis and presentation of collected data.
• Contribute to project deliverables including contract reports, manuscripts and presentations at professional conferences and meetings.
• Engage in outreach and extension with other research groups, stakeholders and/or the industry and public (extension activities may include giving presentations, but do not include providing advisory or regulatory services to committees).

Performance Management (10%)

• Ensure that expectations are clear, well communicated, and relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit.
• Provide staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate.
• Confirm that staff have the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals.
• Verify that the requirements of the performance planning and evaluation system are met and complete evaluations by established deadlines with proper documentation.
• Address and document performance issues as they occur.
• Review safety issues and communicate as appropriate to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, ecology, natural resource management, or the equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the position.

Competencies

• Knowledge of recreational and commercial fisheries of the mid-Atlantic Bight and associated fishing gears used to conduct those fisheries.
• Ability to learn and execute various research protocols, including catch processing, gear monitoring and hydrographic and atmospheric data collection, among others.
• Working knowledge of laboratory and vessel safety procedures and processes, with the ability to implement laboratory procedures for a variety of experimental objectives.
• Strong analytical skills, with the demonstrated ability to analyze data and produce reports.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively as a collaborative team member.

Experience

• Experience with finfish and invertebrate identification.
• Experience using and maintaining research equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in a discipline relevant to the duties and responsibilities of this position such as fisheries, biology, ecology or a closely related field.

Competencies

• General understanding of offshore wind development and interactions between offshore wind and fisheries.
• Knowledge and experience with video analysis for applied fisheries research.
• Excellent technical writing skills, evidenced by presentation and/or publication record.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in ArcGIS or similar mapping software.
• Strong proficiency in a variety of software applications, to include Microsoft Office, as well as databases and web-based applications.

Experience

• Experience working cooperatively with the commercial and/or recreational fishing industry.
• Experience participating in fishery-independent resource assessment surveys in the Mid-Atlantic region (ex. NMFS trawl survey, NJDEP trawl survey, NEAMAP) or as state/federal fishery observer.
• Experience collecting and analyzing fishery-dependent data, fishery-independent data, and oceanographic data.
• Experience with ArcGIS or similar mapping software.
• Experience with project management, data analysis, working in teams, working with minimal supervision in a field and lab setting.
• Experience with data management and statistical analysis, utilizing statistical software.

Conditions of Employment

• This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive over-time in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and university policy.
• This position may require overtime, to include evenings, weekends and holidays to meet the business needs.
• This is a restricted position subject to availability of funding.
• Valid Driver's license must be maintained throughout employment.
• Ability to successfully pass the VIMS at-sea survival training exercise.
• Remain current at-sea safety and survival techniques.
• Comfort working on research and/or fishing vessels during overnight research trips.
• Ability to work on a commercial fishing boat for multiple days, and successfully perform all responsibilities while at sea, in all weather conditions, while resisting motion sickness.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. repeatedly over 16–18-hour workday, while at sea.

Physical Demands

• Climbing: Occasionally.
• Stooping: Occasionally.
• Balancing: Occasionally.
• Crouching: Occasionally.
• Kneeling: Occasionally.
• Crawling: Occasionally.
• Reaching: Occasionally.
• Standing: Frequently.
• Walking: Frequently.
• Grasping: Occasionally.
• Feeling: Occasionally.
• Talking: Constantly.
• Hearing: Constantly.
• Repetitive Motion: Frequently.
• Work Level: Medium Work - Occasionally.
• Environmental Conditions: Inside environmental conditions - Occasionally.
• Environmental Conditions: Outside environmental conditions - Occasionally.
• Environmental Conditions: Both inside and outside - Occasionally.
• Noise Exposure: Subject to potential exposure to high noise areas or impact noise such as moving machinery - Occasionally.
• Vibration: Occasionally.

Additional Information

Background Check

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Remote Work Disclaimer

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

Equal Opportunity Employment

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal