Commercial Fishing Gear Technician and Small Boat Operator

Overview

Lynker Corporation is seeking Commercial Fishing Gear Technicians and Small Boat Operators to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Fisheries Assessment, Technology & Engineering Support (FATES) Division. These proposed roles will construct and maintain selective fishing gear, operate research vessels, support gear research, and provide hands-on training to commercial fishers and marine law enforcement personnel. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award.

The SEFSC Gear Monitoring Team supports the FATES Harvesting Systems Unit by promoting the proper construction, use, and inspection of federally required fishing gear. This work contributes to bycatch reduction, sea turtle protection, fisheries research, and effective communication with commercial fishing communities and enforcement agencies throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Fishing Gear Technician will include the following:

• Construct, repair, and maintain Turtle Excluder Devices, Bycatch Reduction Devices, and other selective fishing gear.
• Prepare fishing gear for use as training aids and in Harvesting Unit research projects.
• Provide gear expertise and assistance for fishery-independent and fishery-dependent evaluations of modified fishing gear.
• Operate and maintain Class A, Class I, and Class II Mississippi Laboratory research vessels.
• Trailer vessels and other large or heavy loads across rural and interstate highways.
• Assist with workshops, industry meetings, and dockside training for commercial fishers on federally required fishing gear.
• Conduct training for federal and state marine law enforcement personnel on fishing gear inspection procedures.
• Conduct at-sea and dockside inspections of Turtle Excluder Devices and document technical compliance with federal regulations.
• Read trawl-construction diagrams and perform trawl sewing and repair.
• Assist with technical, instructional, oral, and printed training materials.
• Deliver oral and hands-on demonstrations concerning the construction and proper use of Turtle Excluder Devices.
• Prepare trip reports, outreach reports, vessel logbooks, and other required activity summaries.
• Assist with emergency responses involving oil spills or other events affecting sea turtles.
• Maintain equipment, vessels, warehouse areas, shop spaces, and related work areas.

Qualifications

The Fishing Gear Technician should have the following:

• At least two years of experience in net construction and repair.
• At least two years of experience operating and maintaining small boats and associated equipment.
• Ability to obtain, within one year of hire, a United States Coast Guard Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels license and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
• Ability to obtain and maintain 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Red Cross CPR and Basic First Aid certifications.
• Ability to maintain all certifications and training required by the NOAA Small Boat Program.
• Ability to write summary trip reports.
• Ability to read and understand federal fisheries regulations.
• Physical ability to embark and disembark unassisted between a dock and a stationary vessel and between two vessels moving at sea, using both hands and feet.

The ideal Fishing Gear Technician will have the following preferred qualifications:

• Experience working in a commercial shrimp-trawl fishery or net shop.
• Knowledge of selective fishing methods and commercial fishing technology.
• Experience conducting public outreach events and public speaking.
• Basic computer and word-processing skills.
• Ability to read, write, and speak Vietnamese.

Work Environment

The position is based in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Work will occur in office, warehouse, net-shop, dockside, small boat, and at-sea environments. Employees must be able to work aboard vessels and safely move between docks and vessels. The position may support emergency response activities involving sea turtle protection. Facility access is generally available from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Travel and overtime must be authorized in accordance with contract requirements.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

* This position is not currently funded and is contingent upon contract award. Employment is subject to successful completion of any required background checks and security processing required by the customer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.