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Senior Marine Ecosystem Scientist

Embrace the opportunity to join Innovate! Inc. and become a valued member of our team. We are seeking driven individuals who are passionate about leveraging technology to tackle environmental challenges and drive positive change. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are eager to contribute your skills and expertise to innovative projects, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity further. Read on to learn more about how you can be part of our dynamic team.

Innovate! Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Senior Marine Ecosystem Scientist to support NOAA Fisheries by compiling, organizing, processing, and communicating large spatial and temporal ecological datasets needed to evaluate management actions and management scenarios within the Northwest Salmon Life Cycle Modeling framework.

*Contingent upon contract being awarded*

Location: Work will be conducted on-site at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington (WA) or at one of its associated field stations in WA or Oregon

Salary Range: $95,000 - $130,000

Position status: Full Time; with benefits

Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with match, Life Insurance, and PTO

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compile, integrate, organize, and maintain large spatial and temporal datasets used to evaluate management effects on fish and shellfish populations in Pacific Northwest freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine systems.
• Conduct literature reviews to extract ecological data and published relationships involving environmental stressors, habitat metrics, and biological responses.
• Collect fish and environmental field data in West Coast freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments, including work in harsh conditions and occasional support aboard research vessels.
• Lead data processing, validation, QA/QC, standardization, and visualization activities to produce analysis-ready ecological datasets.
• Develop accessible data products, including organized repositories, interactive dashboards, and code-backed visualization products where appropriate.
• Document complete, reproducible data workflows in written reports, metadata, protocols, and code repositories.
• Ensure compiled datasets, extracted literature data, protocols, and research products are stored in accessible, well-organized locations for use by NOAA scientists and collaborators.
• Prepare technical reports, written status updates, ad hoc communications, and contributions to peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Present research methods, data products, and scientific findings at regional meetings and scientific conferences as needed.
• Coordinate effectively with quantitative scientists, GIS staff, field teams, managers, and other interdisciplinary partners.

REQUIRED SKILLS & TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Expertise in ecological data collection, biological data management, metadata, data stewardship, and quality assurance/quality control.
• Ability to manage large, complex spatial and temporal datasets and transform them into documented, analysis-ready scientific products.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including familiarity with ecological modeling and data analysis.
• Working proficiency in R, GitHub, or comparable analytical and version-control environments.
• Experience designing or supporting interactive dashboards, reproducible data pipelines, and organized code repositories is desirable.
• Familiarity with species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region, particularly Pacific salmon and Pacific Northwest aquatic ecosystems.
• Knowledge of open-science principles, reproducible workflows, metadata standards, and transparent documentation practices.
• Excellent technical writing, scientific communication, and peer-reviewed publication skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to prioritize work, maintain organization, independently produce high-quality deliverables, and collaborate within interdisciplinary scientific teams.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution in fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, hydrology, or a related field.
• Three or more years of relevant experience; an MS may substitute for up to two years and a PhD for up to four years of experience, consistent with the PWS.
• Demonstrated experience compiling, curating, documenting, and analyzing fisheries, marine, ecological, or environmental datasets.
• Experience supporting NOAA Fisheries or a comparable federal fisheries, marine science, tribal fisheries, university, or natural resource research program is strongly preferred.
• Experience with West Coast fisheries, Pacific salmon, California Current or Pacific Northwest ecosystem monitoring, or long-term ecological datasets is highly desirable.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to satisfy federal Public Trust background investigation requirements.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Innovate! Inc. is a certified woman-owned consulting firm founded in 2002 by Lily Thomas. We provide innovative solutions to management, technology, and program challenges, with a focus on performance, integrity, and building lasting partnerships with our clients. Our team of over 100 experts includes IT and geospatial specialists, program and project management consultants, environmental scientists, and communications and outreach strategists. Our clients include federal, state, tribal, and local governments, private industry, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and utilities. Recent awards we received for excellent service include the 2022 SAG Team Award and 2022 Esri Partner Conference High Potential Award.

Innovate is a fast-paced, rapidly growing group of entrepreneurs creating a culture of excellence. Rapid advancement within our organization is not only possible but also encouraged. To view our website, visit innovateteam.com.

Innovate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, status as a Disabled Veteran, Recently Separated Veteran, Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or cannot access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact us at careers@innovateteam.com.