Pascagoula, MS30+ days ago
p>Duties/Responsibilities: Assist in the construction, maintenance, and repair of selective fishing gear, including Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) Support fisheries research projects by providing gear expertise and participating in field evaluations of modified fishing gear Operate, maintain, and support Mississippi Laboratory research vessels (Class A, I, and II), including trailering and transport of vessels and equipment Obtain and maintain required certifications (e.g., USCG 6-Pack License, TWIC, NOAA Small Boat Program compliance) Conduct outreach and training for commercial fishers on proper use of federally required fishing gear through workshops, dockside visits, and industry meetings Provide training to federal and state marine law enforcement personnel on inspection procedures for regulated fishing gear Conduct at-sea and dockside inspections of fishing gear and document compliance with federal regulations Perform trawl repair and interpret gear construction diagrams to support field operations and training Assist in developing technical training materials, presentations, and outreach content using multimedia tools Support emergency response efforts (e.g., oil spills) requiring rapid deployment for sea turtle protection and outreach coordination Maintain equipment, vessels, and workspace including warehouse and shop organization Prepare summary reports of outreach, inspections, and field activities.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum 2 years of experience in net construction, gear repair, or commercial fishing operations Minimum 2 years of experience operating and maintaining small vessels and associated marine equipment Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude (gear repair, vessel handling) Ability to work in physically demanding and field-based environments Effective communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences Ability to work independently and as part of a field team Experience reading and interpreting federal fisheries regulations Ability to write clear summary reports and document field activities Physical ability to safely embark/disembark vessels and perform work in marine environments Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude (gear repair, vessel handling) Ability to work in physically demanding and field-based environments.