MARINE RESOURCE SCIENTIST I

(HABITAT SAMPLING PROGRAM)

Opening Date:

April 10, 2025

Closing Date:

 May 09, 2025

Location:

West Boothbay Harbor

Position #:

07200-2765

Position Type:

Full Time (Limited Period)

Class Code:

9362

Grade/Salary:

Grade 24 - $54,537.60 - $76,460.80 Per Year*
*(This includes the 5.5% Salary Adjustment)

The Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is seeking a qualified candidate with strong scientific skills to fill one (1) limited period position of Marine Resource Scientist I located at the West Boothbay Harbor Laboratory.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This is a new position created to conduct research aiding in the conservation and management of North Atlantic right whales and other large whales for the State of Maine. This position will assist the Habitat Sampling Program’s Scientist II with planning and implementing research to monitor and assess habitat and prey characterization for right whales in the Gulf of Maine. 

Tasks will include: 

• Developing survey plans
• Collecting data during regular field work expected to occur year-round
• Performing laboratory-based tasks (e.g., processing samples for taxonomic identification of zooplankton species, staging of Calanus, zooplankton biomass, and chlorophyll-a, preparing samples for nutrients and genetics, etc.)
• Performing QA/QC on CTD and other datasets
• Assisting with writing reports and publications

This position will coordinate with other team members, contractors, and other programs within ME DMR. The successful applicant may also be tasked with cross-training to assist other programs within the Division of Marine Mammal Research. Work will be performed under limited supervision with supervisory review of project status reports.

This position will have the potential for hybrid work capabilities with prior authorization from the managing authority.

For questions specific to the position, please contact the Hiring Manager, Amy Wyeth, at: Amy.Wyeth@maine.gov  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Entry level education, training, or experience in a scientific, technical, or engineering discipline with demonstrated experience in the field of marine resource research and management or another related field.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Preferred: Applicants with knowledge of sampling techniques related to oceanographic and zooplankton research are highly preferred. The ability to identify zooplankton to species level, particularly zooplankton common to the Gulf of Maine, is preferred but not required. A successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to maintain, process, and conduct QA/QC for multiple datasets simultaneously. Applicants should be comfortable working on small vessels in a range of environmental conditions and should be comfortable with schedules changing on short notice. Knowledge of Calanus biology, distribution, and habitat preference, and the coast of Maine and its relevant fisheries are all preferred but not required. There is a preference for a candidate with experience in MS Office products and coding languages (preferably R, but other languages are suitable). This position requires excellent communication and organizational skills. Additionally, this position requires the ability to work independently and safely in both laboratory and field settings and the ability to learn new methodologies and technologies with limited supervision.  

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter and current Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and a detailed Resume, before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

•    Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
•    Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
•    Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
•    Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 
•    Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
•    Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
•    Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
•    Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
•    Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
•    Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
•    Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
•    Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work.  Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness.  We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.