Shellfish Hatchery Manager bei Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI)

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide shellfish hatchery management for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Milford Laboratory in Milford, CT.  OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.  

Background

NOAA Fisheries manages and conserves the nation's ocean resources and habitats to ensure their renewability for the future. The Milford Laboratory, a world leader in aquaculture science, was established at the request of Connecticut’s oyster industry to help expand sustainable oyster harvests. Over the lab's illustrious history, NOAA scientists, working closely with industry and academia, have made fundamental contributions to the understanding of shellfish biology and reproduction. Today, the Milford Lab continues to conduct state-of-the-art science that informs management for the sustainable expansion of aquaculture, provides services to the shellfish aquaculture industry, and advances new technologies through collaborative research. The aquaculture research program evaluates current and proposed marine aquaculture practices for technical effectiveness, environmental compatibility, and sustained commercial success. With a focus on domestic seafood production, the Milford Lab continues to be a world leader in aquaculture science.

Description

This position will provide support for the Northeast Oyster Breeding Center's Milford hatchery and its contributions to the Interagency agreement with USDA/ARS, essentially production of up to 100 separate oyster lines per year by June of each year. The position shall: 

• Support Operation of the Northeast Oyster Breeding Center hatchery and nursery with logistical, organizational, and documentation responsibilities.
• Coordinate activities and interactions of project teams on a daily basis, including organizing team meetings and scheduling to accomplish spawning and rearing of multiple genetic oyster lines. 
• Document all activities, including meeting notes, archiving of technical data, and budget summaries.
• Respond to quantitative data calls, including technical accomplishments, expenditures, and reporting of issues and solutions.
• Interface weekly with Agency managers to receive direction and report progress, once a week at minimum.
• Possess a valid US issued driver’s license and have the ability to drive a government vehicle.
  • Extract and compile data on system performance and project accomplishments.
  • Graphically portray summary data for presentation by project managers. 
  • Be aware of and enforce safety and environmental compliance rules.
  • Maintain compliance with all labeling conventions. 
  • Understand safety procedures in the laboratory, handle chemicals, do basic chemical safety, and dispose of chemical reagents in compliance with state regulations. 
  • Correctly label chemicals and chemical hazardous waste. 
  • Assure use and updating as necessary of relevant SOPs. 
  • Provide detailed laboratory notebooks of sample analysis when requested. 
  • Record data for all SOPs on chemical analysis.
  • Apply quality control to samples and troubleshoot common laboratory problems. 
  • Communicate system and equipment failures to facilities staff and project managers. 
  • Support coordinated interactions between lab staff, extension, and participating constituents.
  • Participate in field trips to distribute seed oysters and information to participating constituents. 
  • Attend scientific and educational conferences to promote results and implications of assigned tasks. 
  • Present research material and network on current and future projects, verbally and in writing, including participation in preparation of peer-reviewed publications.
  • Develop and monitor workflows for QA/QC of operations and research. 
  • Represent and resolve IT issues.  

Start Date: As soon as possible. 

Location: Milford Laboratory, Milford, CT.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $42.00 - $47.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor or graduate degree in management or technical field related to project organization and management.
• Logistical support of complex, technical projects, archiving and organizing technical data and QA/QC of data and graphical displays across various disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a production shellfish hatchery.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to work as part of a research team
• Proficient in using MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power Point, Google Suite and other software applications typically used in this line of work.
• Familiarity with shellfish rearing including oyster, life-history manipulation, and support system design and operation.

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references.  
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred).  

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA. 

Note:  If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.