Student Assistant for Turtle Stranding

• Major in Marine Science, Biology, Hawaiian studies with emphasis in natural resource management, or a related field. Background/interest in conservation of Hawaiian species preferred

• Sophomore- or Junior-class standing preferred

• Responsible and reliable

• Takes initiative to learn

• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision

• Must possess a valid driver’s license to drive government vehicles including large trucks

• Must be able to complete the GSA Defensive Driving Course requirement to drive a GOV vehicles

• If involvement in in-water capture of sea turtles is required, the student assistant must be able to swim and complete the NOAA snorkel certification. If small boat operation is required for in-water capture, the student must complete the NOAA small boat operation certification

• Familiarity with Hawaiian waters a plus

• Must follow established protocols accurately

• Record and write technical reports clearly in a computer program

• Must have a working cell phone with the ability to take photos and text message

• Must be available weekdays, early evenings, weekends, holidays, and during school breaks

• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds

• Must be able to interact in an effective and harmonious manner with diverse groups including the general public

• Ideally available for at least one 4-hour block of time during weekday/working hours.

• Must be able to meet and maintain US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) security requirements for working in a federal facility, which includes being fingerprinted and having a federal background check performed prior to date of hire and maintained throughout duration of employment.

• Must be able to complete and maintain mandatory trainings (e.g., biosafety, laboratory, IT)

• Be on-call to assist biologists in responding to stranded sea turtles and determine if animal is resting/injured/dead

• Transports animals to appropriate facility

• Under supervision, participates in necropsy/husbandry/rehabilitation/veterinaryprocedures/veterinary care of animals

• Cleans and maintains animal holding tanks and laboratory spaces

• Prepares and submits reports

• Enters/queries data from databases

• Collects and records data

• Archives samples and assists with sample shipments

• May assist with laboratory research under supervision- including analysis of foraging location (stable isotope), age/growth (skeletochronology), sex or reproductive status (endocrinology), diet composition, and nutritional status

• Conducts field research under supervision - including in-water capture of sea turtles and/or sea turtle nesting beach surveys (that may include field camp coordination/set-up, operation of small boats, marine debris removal, sea turtle and monk seal surveys/handling/capture/measurement/tagging/sampling/veterinary procedures), which may require transport and/or research on water craft (e.g., kayak or small boat) or going to sea via research ship (e.g., NOAA Research Vessels or chartered vessels)

• May assist with other protected species work (e.g, monk seal, cetacean) on occasion. May also participate in outreach activities

• Interest in biological research, data processing and analysis, and databases and associated technology to collect and analyze data

• Hawaiian cultural knowledge and familiarity with Hawaiian waters is a plus

On-call, must also be available early evenings, weekends and holidays