Ecological/Fisheries Analyst/Req. No. 08-932

Location: Versar, Inc./NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office – Cooperative Oxford 
Lab, Oxford, Maryland
Overview: Versar, Inc. is looking for an Ecological/Fisheries analyst to 
support several projects underway and in development with the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO).  
The individual will be employed by Versar (http://www.versar.com 
<http://www.versar.com/>, and www.esm.versar.com) under contract to NOAA.

The successful candidate will work as member of a multi-disciplinary 
team of scientists from local, state, and federal agencies, as well as 
universities and private-sector scientists to compile data, conduct 
fisheries stock-assessments, and develop models of ecosystem 
interactions in the Chesapeake Bay.  Strong quantitative, programming, 
and inter-personal skills are required.  Projects will include:
-         Development and applications of the Chesapeake Bay Fisheries 
Ecosystem Model (CBFEM) based on the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) 
software.   The CBFEM is being developed to provide insights into 
ecosystem dynamics and help assess various management policy scenarios 
of interest to state and federal agencies.  In addition, smaller 
tributary submodels may be developed using the EwE software.
-         Development of an integrate fisheries-biogeochemistry model of 
the Chesapeake Bay using the Atlantis software.
-         Development of methodologies for Integrated Ecosystem 
Assessments (IEA) of the Chesapeake Bay.  IEAs will be developed to 
qualitatively and quantitatively track the effects of land use patterns 
on water quality, habitats, and fisheries/living resources in tidal 
tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.
 
Duties:
The incumbent will
-         Assist in developing assessments models and reports of 
fisheries stock for the Chesapeake using a variety of data sources from 
research sponsored by NCBO and other federal and state agencies.
-         Assist in developing statistical and process models of 
ecological and environmental systems that influence Chesapeake Bay 
Living Resources using a variety of data sources from research sponsored 
by NCBO
-         Work with ecosystem modeler to reconstruct historical 
fisheries stock and ascertain ecological and environmental parameters 
that have influenced the stock.
-         Work with mapping experts to quantitatively identify and 
classify habitats for commercially important fisheries species in the 
Chesapeake Bay.
-         Provide operational support for NCBO fisheries and ecosystem 
science teams.

Qualifications:
The work will require interacting with a wide variety of research and 
management agencies in the region to obtain data and assist in 
assessment development and review of models. Candidate should have 
strong quantitative skills and good interpersonal skills.  Candidates 
should have experience working on projects as a part of a team as well 
as the ability to be self-motivated and work with minimal oversight.
 
//Required:
- Master’s degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, or 
related field.   and other federal and state agencies.
- At least 2 years experience in scientific modeling or programming
- Experience with such software as Excel, AD Model Builder, SAS, S-Plus, 
R, or other statistical/modeling software.   

Desired:
- Doctorate degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, or 
related field.
- Three or more years experience in scientific modeling or programming.
- Experience with ecological modeling such software such as Ecopath with 
Ecosim or Atlantis.
 
The duty station for this position is Oxford, Maryland.
 
Versar, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.  Salary is negotiable and 
will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Interested 
candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, references and salary 
requirements via E-mail, US mail or FAX to the following address, 
referencing position number 08-932.  Applications will be accepted until 
the position is filled.

Glynda Squiggins, Human Resources
RE: 08-807
Versar, Inc.
9200 Rumsey Road
Columbia, MD 21045-1934 [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

FAX: 410-964-5156
No Phone Calls Please
 
 
-- 
Howard Townsend, Ph.D.
NOAA/NMFS/HC/Chesapeake Bay Office
Cooperative Oxford Lab
904 S. Morris Street
Oxford, MD 21654

Tel: 410-226-5193
Fax: 410-226-5925
website: http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/

"The problems we have today will not be solved by the way we thought 
when we created them."
- Albert Einstein