What are the responsibilities and job description for the Resource Protection and Response Specialist position at Lynker?
Lynker is seeking a dynamic and experienced Resource Protection and Response Specialist to join our growing team. The Resource Protection and Response Specialist will support vessel operations, emergency response, and field-based activities within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This position requires expertise in marine science, safe vessel operations, and diving, along with the ability to respond to environmental incidents such as oil or hazardous material releases. The role includes both field and administrative responsibilities, including coordination, reporting, and communication with agency partners. This is a full-time position based in Monterey, California, with an expectation of working on-site at the Sanctuary offices three days per week and the option to telework up to two days per week.
Duties of the Resource Protection and Response Specialist will include the following
Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small 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
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.
Duties of the Resource Protection and Response Specialist will include the following
- Support safe operation of small research and dive vessels, including serving as mate as needed
- Conduct and support field operations aboard ocean-going vessels, including diving activities where applicable
- Plan and implement Motorize Personal Water Craft (MPWC) zone marking strategies, including transition to alternative public notification methods (e.g., buoyless waypoint systems), development of regulatory language, stakeholder outreach, and excess of buoy program inventory
- Support marine resource protection efforts through participation in whale disentanglement operations, including vessel support, on-water observation, and data collection
- Respond to emergency and crisis situations, including oil spills, hazardous material releases, vessel groundings, and wildlife events. Assist with planning and execution of response and remediation activities throughout the sanctuary (Año Nuevo to Cambria, CA)
- Support remediation activities in the field or Incident Command related to miscellaneous spills or vessel incidents.
- Communicate effectively through written reports and verbal coordination during routine operations and emergency response.
- Maintain Emergency Response incidence internal tracking databases, and facilitate information being submitted to the 123 database.
- Maintain database of the MBNMS staff and contractor certifications related to emergency response (HAZWOPER, ICS, First Aid/CPR, etc.) and facilitate training requirements as needed.
- Assist the MBNMS Permit Coordinator with internal tracking and data management processes related to permit processing and monitoring.
- Conduct outreach and communications with target audiences as identified by the Resource Protection Coordinator (Whale watch tour operators, pilots, boaters, MPWC users, wildlife viewers).
- Ability to travel as needed to support fieldwork and incident response across the sanctuary region (Año Nuevo to Cambria, CA). Valid California Driver’s License required.
- Perform physically demanding fieldwork, including working aboard small vessels and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds across wet and uneven surfaces.
- Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science or a related discipline
- Experience working aboard ocean-going vessels and knowledge of safe vessel operations; ability to serve as mate on a small research/dive vessel
- Must be able to obtain a California Boater Card within 30 days of hire
- Certified AAUS Scientific Diver or Divemaster or ability to meet requirements for NOAA Diver Certification
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience representing a government agency or working with public-sector partners
- Proficiency with Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Slides) and spreadsheet management
- Ability to plan for and respond to emergencies and crisis situations
- Examples include oil spills, hazardous material releases, and vessel groundings
- Preferred certifications include 24-Hour HAZWOPER and Basic Incident Command System (ICS) training (will be provided upon hire).
Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small 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 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.