Maine's Capital Area

Description
May - October 2025
$20.00 hourly
LOCATION WHERE THE WORK WILL BE PERFORMED
Contracted vessels operating in offshore waters (3-50 miles) in the Gulf of Maine (departing from and returning to Portland), and at the Maine Department of Marine Resources (Boothbay Harbor).

The Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative (Maine Department of Marine Resources) collects and analyzes seafloor information via sonar mapping and benthic grab sampling in state and federal waters in the Gulf of Maine.

3 full-time contracted positions are available to conduct seafloor sonar mapping and collect marine mammal and seabird observational data during the 2025 survey season in offshore waters (3-50 miles) in the Gulf of Maine.
The sonar operator/wildlife observers will be responsible for collecting 24-hour bathymetric and acoustic backscatter data in our offshore priority mapping areas using a multibeam echosounder (MBES) sonar system and collecting observational data on marine mammals and seabirds encountered during daylight hours during multi-day vessel operations. The sonar operator/wildlife observers will be responsible for ensuring real-time sonar data quality and for entering marine mammal and seabird sightings into an electronic data collection platform. Between survey trips, the wildlife observer/sonar technicians may be asked to perform QA/QC and analyze the seabird and marine mammal data.

Requirements
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES PREFERRED
•knowledge of and experience with bathymetric mapping, acoustic theory, or remote sensing
•vessel-based experience, especially in offshore environments
•seabird and/or marine mammal identification
•field data collection experience
•knowledge of physical oceanography, marine science, marine ecology, or similar competencies that relate to the tasks and descriptions above

Contact Email

Comments
Please submit your resume (no length restriction), contact information for at least two references, and a cover letter outlining your interest and starting availability by April 15 (open until filled via):
On the subject line add DMR – Sonar Operator/Wildlife Observer or
Mail: Tri-State Staffing, Inc. Attn: DMR – Sonar Operator/Wildlife Observer, PO Box 2182, Augusta, ME 04338-2182

If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Jesse Minor at the Department of Marine Resources at or 207-350-7816.