Social Data Scientist

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 Social scientist for quantitative data management, analyses, and visualization of surveys assessing trends in social and economic conditions of commercial fishing crews and hired captains in the Northeastern U.S.  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

Crew are vital to the fishing industry and their social and economic circumstances are integral to the well-being of fishing communities. However, very little data on even basic demographic information on crew exists at the regional level for Northeastern U.S. fisheries. Fishing vessel crew and hired captains comprise a significant portion of fishing industry employment, yet very few studies have inquired about the social and demographic characteristics of the individuals who make up this segment of the industry. The majority of economic and social information collected has tended to focus on vessel owners. 

For this reason, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) has implemented the Socio-Economic Survey of Hired Captains and Crew in New England and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries (Crew Survey) since 2011 with the aim of tracking the characteristics of crew and hired captains over time in order to capture trends in socio-demographics, employment, and fishing practices, among other factors.  NEFSC Social Sciences Branch (SSB) researchers have recently completed data collection for the third wave of the survey, following the baseline first wave conducted in 2012 and the second wave in 2018. Data collected include demographic information on crew, wage calculations systems, well-being, fishing practices, job satisfaction, job opportunities, and attitudes toward fisheries management. This data has been used to inform social impact assessments of past fisheries management actions and will continue to be an important component to the policymaking process. The SSB has a need for expert support to develop tools and provide data management for the Crew Survey. General duties will include data analysis, database development, and the creation of tools for data visualizations and outreach.

Tasks 

• Work with our Information Technology Division (ITD) and other partners to appropriately database data from all Crew Survey waves to date and create public-facing tools and websites for broader use and dissemination.
• Develop public-facing tools and websites to showcase these data and provide stakeholders and the interested public with information from these data to better understand trends in crew employment, demographics, job satisfaction and well-being, among other factors critical to this understudied population within our region’s fishing communities.
• [If time and capacity permit] Conduct an analysis using the three waves of collected data to determine the representativeness of the data at various levels of aggregation, such as ground truthing and statistical analyses to determine reliability and accuracy of the data over the course of its three implementation waves to inform future analyses and data collection efforts. 

Start Date: March 1, 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter

Location: Fully Remote

Travel: There may be travel to conferences or fisheries management meetings to conduct outreach and present results.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $39.00 and $47.00 per hour.

Required Skills/Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a social science or data science field including, but not limited to, social data science, anthropology, sociology, economics, human geography, or marine affairs/policy. Bachelor’s degree and 2 years experience in a related field is also acceptable. 
• Proficiency with quantitative data management and analysis software such as R, SAS, STATA, SPSS, and others.
• Knowledge and experience with software or programs for data visualization, report building, and web app development, such as Tableau, R Markdown, or Shiny. 
• Experience developing web-based applications or tools for data visualization and data queries. 
• Proficiency in written and oral communication.
• Ability to work independently and with a multidisciplinary team.

Desired Skills/Qualifications

• Training or experience in statistics for the social sciences.
• Experience or training in GIS and/or geo-spatial analysis.
• Experience or training in fisheries, marine or natural resource management.
• Interest in the socioeconomic conditions and well-being of fishing and coastal communities dependent on marine resources.

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.  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.