Senior Analyst: Quieting Technology Support

NOTE:  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 a candidate to support to the NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources (OPR) in Silver Spring MD. The employee will assist OPR on approaches to reduce ocean noise from vessels and other sound generating activities impacting marine mammals.   This is a full-time position based on 40 hrs. /week with generous employee benefits.  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. 

NOTE:  A cover letter that describes how your skills, experience and education meet the required qualifications of the position must be included with your resume when submitting the application and is mandatory. 

Duties:

• Support NOAA Program Offices to coordinate and build relationships with U.S. (Federal and non-Federal) and international partners to evaluate and support the development, incentivization, and use of quieter technologies for vessels (primarily shipping) and other sound generating activities (e.g., geological and geophysical surveys, offshore wind construction).
• Work across NOAA programs, including NMFS OPR and National Ocean Service Office of National Marine Sanctuaries  to ensure quieting efforts and actions are aligned and prioritized in consideration of the goals and objectives of applicable programs and mandates, including the Ocean Noise Strategy, NOAA regulatory authorities (e.g., Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act), international agreements, and the Advanced Sampling and Technology for Extinction Risk Reduction and Recovery initiative, among others).
• Compile, organize, assess, synergize, and effectively communicate the best available science, as well as the policy and management actions of other agencies and governments, to inform the development of recommended actions for NOAA to better support quieting goals, both within its regulatory frameworks and more broadly, in assistance to Federal staff.
• Review, evaluate, and compare, as assigned, acoustic models, research/monitoring plans, and quieting programs to support the quieting goals and duties indicated above.
• Support the development and implementation of technical guidance, methods, and analytical tools for both internal and/or external use, to better forward the quieting goals of the agency

Required Experience/Skills:

• A detailed understanding of the properties of underwater sound sources (biotic and abiotic), how their signals propagate in the environment (e.g., based on water depth, substrate, temperature), and the mathematical principles underlying how these sources   and environmental properties inform transmission loss and sound propagation from specific activities (e.g., vessel operation, pile driving, geophysical sources).
• Master’s Degree  or higher in a physical science (e.g. acoustics, physics, engineering , oceanography   and  three  years of relevant experience or PHD and one year of relevant experience    
• Experience handling and analyzing passive acoustic data, monitoring/analyzing acoustic data associated with underwater sound sources (e.g. vessels, air guns, pile driving).
• Relevant  research publications         

Start Date: To be Determined      

Location: Work may be performed offsite 

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary: $34.00 to $38.00 per hour.    

Only qualified applicants that meet 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 must submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that describes how your skills, experience and education meet the required qualifications of the position.  
• 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).   

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, link located at top right of this page.

- Include your name in the document file name.

- Sending your resume in readable (not scanned) PDF or Word format is preferred.

When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application. 

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.   Ocean Associates Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully 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 self-identify their race, gender, national origin, disability status and veteran status. OAI is required to use the information it collects as part of its future affirmative action efforts in hiring. The information is collected anonymously by computer and is not connected to your application. You will see a place to check certain boxes in OAI's online application. Even though the information is anonymous, self-identification is voluntary. You can always check the box that says you decline to self-identify.

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.