Data Management Specialist 2 (Natural Sciences) - PIFSC Honolulu

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of the Data Management Specialist II position located in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is a full-time, full-year benefits-eligible position.

 

Data Management Specialists (Natural Sciences) use a background in the natural sciences as they assist in the population, maintenance, enhancement and distribution of databases. They locate, obtain, standardize, enter, verify, and correct various data sets related to project goals and work plans.

 

The primary function of this position is to collect and process fisheries data from the U.S. commercial longline and purse-seine fisheries that target highly migratory species. The employee will go to docks and meet with fishing captains and vessel owners. The employee will follow standard operating procedures to collect and process logbook data, including editing and entering data into NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) data entry programs and archiving the data forms, as needed. The employee will assist in training captains and troubleshooting issues on the E-logit electronic reporting application.

 

The employee will work in both office and field settings. Field work takes place at Pier 38 in Honolulu, interacting with captains and vessel owners on the dock and sometimes in the wheelhouse of a vessel. A portion of field work may occur on wet, slippery surfaces around moving machinery (forklifts, hoists, conveyor belts, etc.). The proportion of office to field work varies with fishing activity. The employee will use their personal vehicle to move between their official workstations at NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Pier 38 (dock & office) and the NOAA IRC, as needed.

 

The employee will work 40 hours per week, generally 8AM - 5PM Monday through Friday, but will have flexibility to meet data collection requirements. The employee will work independently but will also maintain regular contact with their supervisor, who will support and advise the employee in the performance of their duties. The employee will have no lead or supervisory duties.

 

Essential Functions: (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

• Integral team member of the Fisheries Monitoring Program, attends weekly meetings, and project-based meetings, as needed
• Regularly communicates with fishermen and provides outreach, support, and training to longline vessel captains and vessel owners for federally mandated logbook data collection
• Aids in the administration of electronic logbook program (E-logit)
• Enters, verifies, and archives longline logbook data from Hawaii, American Samoa, and California for any remaining data submitted on paper
• Enters, verifies, and archives logbook, landing, and other records collected under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty (SPTT) and communicates issues to team members
• Compiles data to support catch monitoring and reporting of various highly migratory species, including integrating logbook and dealer data
• Provides input on ways to improve and streamline data collection and processing
• Performs other duties as needed

Complexity:

At the lower end of the range, tasks are clear-cut and directly related. There is little or no choice in deciding what needs to be done. Actions to be taken or responses to be made are readily discernible.

 

At the upper end of the range, duties often have steps or processes that vary depending upon factors such as the reason the work is being performed or the conditions under which it is being performed. The employee has to be independent in recognizing such differences, choosing the right course of action, and then executing the proper sequences to complete the work.

The employee's work affects the quality of day-to-day operations of a significant, ongoing program, and enhances PIFSC's ability to accomplish critical program activities.

 

Supervisory Controls:

The supervisor provides project goals, objectives, priorities, and deadlines. The employee proceeds independently, using experience, knowledge, and the user and systems requirements to complete objectives. The employee reports periodically on work progress and potentially controversial matters. Work is expected to be complete, accurate, and timely. It is reviewed for soundness of overall approach and effectiveness in meeting requirements or producing expected results.

 

Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are established to exchange information, request repairs or supplies, update and inform others of changes or problems encountered, and ensure that scientifically correct methods and procedures are being followed.

 

Contacts are with NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Fisheries Research and Monitoring Program/Western Pacific Fisheries Information Network (PIFSC/FRMD/WPacFIN) project/program co-workers, project supervisor, program manager, PSMFC HR staff, vessel/permit owners, and the general public.

 

Physical Demands

The work is generally sedentary, although there may be some walking, driving between offices, and climbing on and off of vessels at the dock.

 

Work Environment

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. There are the normal risks of an office environment. A portion of the work is performed on the dock or in the wheelhouse of a vessel while it is in port.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. Candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** AND four years of successfully completed education above high school in the natural sciences (biology, fishery biology, environmental science, aquatic science, geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics). An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

 

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

 

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, the employee has broad knowledge, abilities, and skills as follows:

 

• Software skills (data entry systems, MS Office)
• Oral communication skills
• Data management concepts, principles, and methods
• Quality assurance principles
• Ability to interact and deal effectively with individuals and groups having diverse cultures and backgrounds (fishermen, scientists, creel samplers, data managers, computer specialists, etc.)