Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To assist in the development and implementation of field programs by providing technical expertise to the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit, Thunder Bay office for a variety of assessment and management projects including the operation of a variety of small vessels and the handling of a wide variety of equipment in addition to performing duties in the lab and office.

Position may also act as the alternative Vessel Master for a vessel greater than 70 Gross Tonnes.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Job is part of a multi-disciplinary team, led by the Assessment Supervisor which assesses fish populations and related parameters, primarily on Lake Superior and its tributaries.

Implementing the operational components of assessment and management projects that require the use, care and maintenance and/or replacement of a wide variety of equipment such as electronic data capture devices; fishing gear ' gill, trawl, hoop, fyke, trap, seine, and drift nets; electro-fishing boats and backpacks; limnological equipment; navigational instruments; safety equipment; and a variety of boats, motors, vehicles, trailers, in addition to the collection and analysis or ageing of tissues.

Collecting scientific data that are accurate and organized and follows the guidelines and formats provided by the project leader.

Providing leadership and direction to staff by providing training in all aspects of field and lab work to ensure that related policies are applied, work is done safely, data are of high quality, and equipment remains in good working condition.

From time to time may involve operating a large vessel greater than 70 Gross Tonnes, in the absence of the Vessel Master, which includes all related responsibilities. These include providing leadership to the crew, operating the vessel to the "code of nautical practices and procedures" as published by Transport Canada, and operating the vessel in such a manner to ensure safety, completing of assignments, and the assumption of all legal liability with respect to deck crew, other mariners, other vessels, and all public and private property. Inspection of all mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems is also required.

Ageing fish by: tissues such as scales, otoliths and other bony structures and training and auditing staff; recognizing, categorizing and recording fin clips and lamprey wounds clip code and other biological attributes. Coordination of contract scale aging, auditing, validating, and authorizing payment.

Preparing data summaries, technical reports, project manuals, safety training materials, maintenance logs, and emails by using the computer network and appropriate software.

Conducting or coordinating the collection of commercial catch samples. Collect samples according to direction from biologists and supervisor.

Organize samples, coordinate/conduct aging and enter data collected from commercial catch sampling.

Procurement of goods and services, including competitive shopping, and the preparation of quotes and requisitions, to support field programs.

Coordinate with Assessment Supervisor annually to plan and determine contaminant collection targets, and provide instructions for collection, sampling, storage, and labeling to staff. Audit and submit collections to the Ministry of the Environment.

Duties are largely field-based, requiring extended periods of travel and work in outdoors situations where work will be on water, often in inclement weather and adverse climatic conditions. Field work often includes extensive physical labour.

Manager has the right to assign additional duties.

Staffing and Licencing :

MED 3 (Marine Emergency Duties) and SVOP certificate from the Coast Guard.

Valid Class G Ontario Driver's license (or equivalent).

Valid certification equivalent to or greater than Master 150 Gross Tonnage, Domestic (sec 129, Marine personnel Regulations, Canada Shipping Act) or ability to acquire this certification.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of fisheries biology, and fisheries habitat assessment and research techniques, and fish ageing techniques, for data collection for long term data sets for use in fisheries management decision making.

Knowledge of computer systems, software and field devices required for limnological analysis (i.e. data loggers, CDT ' depth-temperature profiler, temperature loggers, etc) to perform duties such as uploading programs, downloading data, and troubleshooting software and hardware problems.

Provincial and federal regulations pertaining to fish and wildlife management and marine vessel and equipment operations, and licensing/certification.

Design and construction of fisheries and ecosystem assessment equipment including a wide range of nets and limnology equipment.

Marine navigation, Collision Regulations, the Canada Shipping Act, emergency response procedures, and marine safety as it applies to operating small and large vessels on the Great Lakes.

Safe Operating Procedures Manual for the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit large vessel.

Mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems of vessels at a level that permits identification of potential problems and enables basic maintenance procedures to be performed.

Knowledge of OPS and ministry codes of ethics, procurement processes, and administration to draft senders, requests for proposals, contracts, partnership agreements, procedure manuals and to assist management with field budgets and capital programs.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act and those Regulations made under the Act that applies to the workplace and the work being performed.

Skills :

Analytical skills to determine practicality and application of fisheries assessment project designs that will ensure a successful outcome.

Analytical skills to allow problem solving during field operations that will ensure health and safety and project goals are considered.

Ability to determine age of fish using multiple calcified structures (scale, fin ray/spine, otolith, operculum).

Physical skills to operate and maintain vehicles, trailers, small boats and large vessel greater than 70 Gross Tonnes, and to lift and set heavy fishing gear such as trap and gill nets, in adverse conditions. The ability to work in an environment where there is a high probability of experiencing symptoms of motion sickness is required.

Written and oral communication skills to clarify and explain field and safety procedures to staff (managers, biologists, technicians, and students) and to report results.

Interpersonal skills to lead and motivate a crew of co-workers during field operations and coordinate with project leaders while projects are underway.

Freedom of Action :

This position works under general direction of the Assessment Supervisor. Work projects that are carried out are part of an approved annual work plan, and contain operational details that are developed in conjunction with biological staff and are approved by the Supervisor.

This position provides supervision from a Health and Safety Act perspective to staff on or off small and large vessels. Freedom to make decisions to safely deploy vessels (or cancel deployment if appropriate)and equipment in dangerous situations such as rough seas or inclement weather (e.g. fog) or to curtail vessel operations/assessment procedures when dangerous conditions are imminent to protect the lives of staff.

This position has the freedom to make decisions in organizing technical programs and staff in the field and laboratory, and establishing efficient operational logistics at the project level (e.g. determine whether to work overtime) and adjust as needed.