Stephanie O'Donnell
- @StephODonnell
- | She / Her
WILDLABS
- Position Title: Technical Officer – IMOS Animal Tracking Facility
- Type of Employment: Full-time (35 hrs per week), Fixed Term Three-year fixed term, with the possibility of extension subject to continuation of funds.
- Remuneration: A salary package range between $82,911 - $93,815 pa (commensurate with experience) including :
- Starting minimum salary of $82,911 pa
- Employer superannuation of 10.5%
- Annual Leave Loading of 17.5%
- Closing Date: 20th February 2023
- Contact: Dr Fabrice Jaine ([email protected]) 0415 644 643
BACKGROUND
The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is a multidisciplinary marine research institute formed as a partnership of four universities (Macquarie University, University of Sydney, UNSW and the University of Technology Sydney) located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour in Mosman. This collaborative venture enables marine scientists and students in Sydney and NSW to investigate links between nearshore marine environments, urban harbours, fisheries, and marine biodiversity.
Since 2007, SIMS has operated several Facilities of Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org.au). The IMOS Animal Tracking Facility focuses on collecting long-term data on the movement of marine animals within Australian coastal and oceanic waters to inform the management of Australia's marine resources. One of its core objectives is to oversee the development and maintenance of a collaborative national marine acoustic telemetry network and a central database for the Australian research community, thereby facilitating regional-scale collaborative animal tracking research.
The IMOS acoustic telemetry network consists of strategically positioned underwater hydrophones that detect and track animals tagged with acoustic transmitters. It includes a permanent array of IMOS acoustic receivers maintained by the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility, plus hundreds of receivers owned and deployed by co-investment partners, with all transmitter deployment and receiver detection data centralised in the IMOS Animal Acoustic Telemetry Database owned and managed by IMOS for the community. This IMOS infrastructure provides a powerful tool for monitoring animal movements in Australian coastal and continental shelf ecosystems over scales of hundreds of metres to thousands of kilometres, informing habitat use, home range size, the effectiveness of marine protected areas, refinement of stock structure assessment, and migratory patterns. To date, over 9,885 transmitters have been deployed on 154 marine species and tracked over a range of scales from hundreds of metres to thousands of kilometres.
SIMS is seeking a Technical Officer to provide technical and logistical support to the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility and the maintenance of the national IMOS acoustic telemetry network. This position offers an opportunity to join a fantastic, highly skilled team on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour and play a pivotal role in delivering national research infrastructure solutions. The SIMS culture is one that embraces diversity and inclusiveness, encourages staff to be actively engaged with the SIMS community and the marine environment, and respects and encourages a healthy work-life balance.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Technical Officer provides technical and logistical support to the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility for the planning and implementation of marine fieldwork in support of the national IMOS acoustic telemetry infrastructure network.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the assembly and field servicing of acoustic telemetry equipment and moorings, assembly and maintenance of equipment for field operations, freighting equipment, data entry, and participating in field operations. The role may encompass additional activities based on opportunities and requirements.
Key Accountabilities
- Assist in the planning and execution of marine fieldwork across a broad geographic area in support of the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility's national acoustic receiver network.
- Undertake the maintenance and record-keeping of Facility assets and equipment, including the service and assembly of acoustic telemetry equipment and moorings.
- Coordinate equipment freight logistics between the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility and regional collaborators or contractors.
- Collection, entry and backup of acoustic telemetry data and associated equipment deployment records.
- Operate a variety of equipment, vehicles and vessels in accordance with the Organisation's policy and procedures.
- Assist with the development of operational best practices and technical documentation, as required
Key challenges
- Ability to work both within a team and at times autonomously and remotely.
- Conduct fieldwork in a variety of hydrological and climatic conditions in remote, offshore and challenging marine environments, with frequent interstate travel for extended periods of time.
- Contribute to concurrent projects while balancing competing demands, priorities, deadlines and changing schedules.
The role is expected to operate with a moderate level of autonomy, making day-to-day decisions relating to workload management whilst adhering to set milestones and deadlines. The role is accountable for the quality, integrity and accuracy of effort provided and for the delivery of assigned tasks on time and to acceptable standards.
Key relationships
Reporting to the Science & Operations Officer, the Technical Officer will work collaboratively with the rest of the SIMS and IMOS Animal Tracking Facility's staff and provide information to the Facility leadership team as required. The role will also interact with regional collaborators and contractors.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications:
- A degree in marine science or equivalent qualifications relevant to the role and activities of the IMOS Animal Tracking Facility.
- Current Driver's Licence.
- Ability to operate a forklift or acquire a forklift licence in the future.
- Current NSW Boating Licence (or equivalent) or Coxswain skipper certificate.
- Minimum of PADI Rescue Diver or Scientific Diver certification (or equivalent) to conduct SCUBA diving fieldwork.
- Ability to hold an occupational dive medical (AS/NZS 2299.1)
Experience:
- Ability to work proactively and collaboratively with colleagues, contractors and researchers, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and professional behaviour.
- Ability to travel and be away from home for up to several weeks at a time, several times per year.
- Ability to conduct fieldwork in a variety of hydrological and climatic conditions in remote, offshore and challenging marine environments.
- Experience in marine-based fieldwork and/or research.
- Sponsorship/work rights for Australia
Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length.
HOW TO APPLY
Application
Applications must consist of the following and be submitted electronically:
- Covering Letter. The cover letter should include your email or postal address and telephone number. This is an opportunity in not more than one page to introduce yourself and outline the key reasons why you should be considered for the role.
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume. This is a history of your education/research/employment and experience that covers the following areas:
o Educational qualifications that detail the full title of the qualification, year attained and title of the institution attended.
o Research projects on which you have participated, in what capacity that was, and any outputs that emanated from that research.
o Employment history in chronological order, starting with the most current position and specifying dates of employment, title of position, name of employer, main duties or accountabilities and achievements.
o The names and contact details (preferably phone & email) of three referees, including if possible a senior person (preferably your supervisor) closely associated with your current position. - Selection Criteria. A statement addressing how you meet each of the Essential Requirements and highlighting your experience in relation to the Role Description is required to assist the Selection Committee to determine whether you have the relevant qualifications, knowledge/skills, experience and personal qualities. This should be no more than 3 pages in length.
Applications are to be emailed to: [email protected]
Note: Applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed
- Job listing: