Cooperative research RFP

Proposals are solicited for cooperative research funding in FY2012 under
the priority research areas identified in Section 318 of the MSRA:

1.collecting data to improve, supplement, or enhance stock assessments,
including the use of fishing vessels or acoustic or other marine
technology (Section 318(c)(i));

2.assessing the amount and type of bycatch or post-release mortality
occurring in a fishery (Section 318(c)(ii));

3.conducting conservation engineering projects designed to reduce
bycatch, including avoidance of post-release mortality, reduction of
bycatch in high seas fisheries, and transfer of such fishing
technologies to other nations (Section 318(c)(iii));

4.identifying habitat areas of particular concern as well as conducting
projects relevant to the conservation of habitat (Section 318(c)(iv)); and

5.collecting and compiling economic and social data (Section 318(c)(v)).

Proposals should be limited to $300K or less.  Total available funding
for this solicitation is $1.5M.  Please see that attached reference
document for additional details.

To submit a proposal, or if you have any questions, please contact your
regional Cooperative Research Coordinators who are administering this
request.  Proposals must be received no later than December 5, 2011.

The NMFS Regional Cooperative Research Coordinators are:

NEC John Hoey (John.Hoey@noaa.gov)
NER  Ryan Silva (Ryan.Silva@noaa.gov)
SEC Guy Davenport (Guy.Davenport@noaa.gov)
SER Dax Ruiz (Dax.Ruiz@noaa.gov)
SWC Suzanne Kohin (Suzanne.Kohin@noaa.gov)
SWR  Craig Heberer (Craig.Heberer@noaa.gov)
PIC Gerard DiNardo (Gerard.Dinardo@noaa.gov)
PIR Scott Bloom (Scott.Bloom@noaa.gov)
AKC/AKR John C. Clary (john.c.clary@noaa.gov)
NWC/NWR Patricia Burke (Patricia.Burke@noaa.gov)

IUCN Internship: Global Marine and Polar Programme

Location: IUCN US Office, Washington D.C. 

We are seeking two interns to support a global coral reef resilience project. The goal of the project is to determine the geographic and temporal variability in the decline of coral reef ecosystems around the world, with initial focus on tropical America. The two positions will be office-based in Washington, D.C. Main duties include compiling and processing data sets on corals, algae and fish; statistical analysis and literature review. Interns will work closely with the Project Director Jeremy Jackson and Project Officer Vivian Lam to get hands-on experience on a pioneering scientific project dealing with top quality survey data from coral reefs around the world.

1) Database Management and Statistical Analysis

The candidate will be responsible for maintaining the project database and performing routine statistical analyses of status and trends of abundance data. Requirements include at least one year’s experience in database management, strong statistical background, and expertise in Excel.

2) Fish Populations Dynamics 

The candidate will be responsible for assembling a database of trends in coral reef fish abundance derived from the data sets of more than 50 fish ecologists who have provided their data to IUCN. Requirements include a strong background in coral reef ecology or fisheries biology, expertise in Excel, and some experience in database management.

Applicants should please send an application letter, CV, and names of two references whom we may contact by email or phone to Vivian Lam (vivian.lam@iucn.org) as soon as possible. This is an entry-level, unpaid position for four months, with a possibility of extension. The preferred starting date is around mid-November.

Summer Research Internships: Presentation on Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) at McNeese (15 November 2011) and Summer Research Internships in Genetics

A representative from the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) in Baton Rouge will give a presentation about LBRN on Tuesday, 15 November, at 3:15pm in Frasch Hall Room 101.  Please encourage all students considering graduate, medical or other professional schools and who are looking for a summer research experience to attend this presentation.  For students looking for research experiences in genetics, the Department of Genetics at the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine also offers summer research internships.  All faculty, especially faculty in the Colleges of Science and Engineering, are requested to announce these excellent opportunities to their students.  For further information, please see the LBRN websites - http://lbrn.lsu.edu and http://lbrn.lsu.edu/portal/staticpages/index.php?page=ResearchPrograms, the Dept. of Genetics Summer Research Internship website - http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/genetics/summer_student_program.aspx, or contact Dr. Bill Dees, Chair, College of Science Health Sciences Initiative (Frasch Hall Room 241, Phone: 337-475-5654 or Email: wdees@mcneese.edu).

Mississippi Freshwater Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy

JOB FAMILY: Conservation
SALARY GRADE: 7

Jackson, Mississippi (MS)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Mississippi Freshwater Program Manager directs all aspects of a multi-faceted freshwater conservation program including science, restoration and community relations activities for TNC priority stream, river, and freshwater wetland habitats across Mississippi.  The MS Freshwater Program Manager also provides scientific/technical support, expertise and leadership for freshwater conservation initiatives for the Mississippi Operating Unit, particularly in the realm of stream and wetland ecology, nutrient transformation in stream/wetland systems, and impacts of sedimentation on aquatic communities.  The position serves as the principle freshwater contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community within Mississippi.  Additionally the position will work with other staff on public policy such as the federal Farm Bill programs or Water Resources Development Act, etc as they relate to the conservation of freshwater biodiversity, and will take the lead on identifying needs and securing resources needed to successfully implement the program’s freshwater conservation strategies.

• Establishes and maintains the Conservancy as a major freshwater conservation partner within Mississippi and leads TNC efforts to improve freshwater conservation efforts in TNC priority areas.
• Supervisory experience required. Oversees work and sets objectives for other freshwater program staff, interns, researchers and contractors and coordinates efforts of collaborating peers
• Oversight of all freshwater conservation projects, including budget management and ensuring timely production of deliverables and reporting.
• Builds strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field
• Develops key partnerships with public and private organizations in order to advance core freshwater conservation strategies and to widely communicate solutions and best practices
• Develops innovative scientific methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address needs of priority freshwater systems.
• Engages local community support for local conservation efforts
• Negotiates complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect natural communities

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree and 5 years experience in freshwater conservation, management and restoration or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
• Experience in written and verbal communication.
• Supervisory experience.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• BA/BS degree in aquatic science-related field (hydrology, aquatic ecology/biology, or environmental science preferred) and 5 years experience in freshwater habitat conservation and/or restoration practice or equivalent combination of education and experience.   M.S. preferred.
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in freshwater conservation in the region
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes
• Knowledge of methods and standards of biodiversity information systems and initiatives
• Motivating team members, setting goals, and leading efforts
• Delivering practical, adaptable products and services
• Knowledge of politics and society with respect to freshwater conservation
• Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results
• Demonstrated experience in successful fundraising
• Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance.
• Successful experience in partnership development (partners, community, government, etc); political savvy.
• Proven interpersonal, communication (written, spoken, and graphical) and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated experience with software applications (MS Office,  GIS systems, and statistical analysis software).

ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES:
• Provides entrepreneurial leadership to implement a program aimed at preserving and restoring biodiversity within TNC priority freshwater conservation areas in Mississippi.
• Defines freshwater conservation priorities and works with Marine Program to develop and implement estuarine and marine conservation strategies
• Works with other staff and partners to develop/refine Conservation Action Plans (CAP) for TNC freshwater priority areas as needed following TNC’s standard approach to conservation planning.
• Coordinates the freshwater conservation program in Mississippi with Chapter staff and partners; works closely with conservation staff to integrate terrestrial, freshwater and marine conservation priorities.
• Seeks public and private funding to support freshwater program priorities and strategies. Proven experience in successfully applying for and receiving public grants and contacts. Assist Philanthropy staff in donor identification and cultivation and fundraising efforts to support freshwater program.
• Responsible for developing, tracking and managing freshwater program budgets and deliverables
• Works closely with and coordinates MS freshwater projects/strategies with greater TNC initiatives. Serves as lead MS Chapter contact on internal and external freshwater working groups, forums, etc.
• Knowledge of political and societal issues influencing conservation of freshwater biodiversity in MS.
• Operates and maintains a range of field equipment, including boats and outboard motors, 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs
• Other duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The Freshwater Program Manager may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may:
• require physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings
• require frequent travel domestically
• require regular travel within and across state borders, including some evening and weekend hours
• require use of motorized vehicles, including boats

HOW TO APPLY

Visit TNC online at http://www.nature.org/aboutus/careers/index.htm to apply to position number 13262. Please submit a resume and cover letter as one document.

All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, October 7, 2011.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration. The information entered in the education and work experience sections are auto screened by the system based on the basic qualifications of the position.

You must click submit to apply for the position. Click save if you want to be able to return to your application and submit it later. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.

EOE STATEMENT

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Louisiana Community Oil Spill Forum, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, New Orleans, Nov 19

Community Oil Spill Forum invites members of the public to learn from and ask questions of oil spill scientists

The Central Gulf of Mexico Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE), housed at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Coast Research Lab (GCRL) is partnering with Louisiana Sea Grant, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center to offer a Community Oil Spill Forum at each location on Saturday, November 19^th.

One and one half years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill began in 5000 feet of water off the southeast coast of Louisiana, many questions remain about the effects of this catastrophe.  The Community Oil Spill Forum has been designed to address some of these questions for members of the general public, including adults and their children over the age of 12.  Classroom teachers who attend will earn continuing learning units (CLUs).  The event will feature presentations by scientists geared to a general level of understanding, an opportunity to ask questions of the scientists and activities that will clarify aspects of the oil spill – specifically seafood tasting and turtle rehabilitation.

The event will be a videoconference among the three partner sites with all speakers presenting to and answering questions asked at all sites.   Speakers at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge include resident scientists:  Dr. Ed Overton will provide an overview of the oil spill event.  Dr. Julie Anderson will discuss dispersant use.  Dr. Lucina Lampila will explain the current knowledge regarding seafood safety.  At the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, Ms. Suzanne Smith, of the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program, will discuss rehabilitation of large animals.  At Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center in Shreveport, Dr. Jessie Kastler, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and producer of SpillScience.com, will summarize lessons of the oil spill and how science uncovers them.

Registration for this event is strongly encouraged because space in videoconferencing facilities at each location is limited.  Links to register at each location and more information about the event are available at http://cosee-central-gom.org/community_forum_la.htm.

Contact Dianne Lindstedt at Louisiana Sea Grant, 225-578-1558, lsged@lsu.edu; Tricia LeBlanc at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 504-378-2675, tleblanc@auduboninstitute.org; or Michele McKee at Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, mmckee@sciport.org, (318) 424-8688, for more information. 

2012 SOUTHERN DIVISION AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY SPRING MEETING

SECOND CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED PAPERS
2012 SOUTHERN DIVISION AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY SPRING MEETING
January 26-29, 2012
IP Casino, Resort & Spa – http://www.ipbiloxi.com/
Biloxi, Mississippi
This is the second call for oral and poster presentations for the 20th annual Spring Meeting of the Southern Division of AFS. Deadline for abstract submission is less than one month away and submissions thus far have been light.  If you plan to give a contributed oral or poster presentation or you are participating in one of the symposia we encourage you to get this done as soon as possible to avoid potential problems that often occur when trying to get this done at the last minute.  Due date for abstract submissions will be at 5:00 pm CST on Monday, December 5, 2011.
The schedule for the 2012 SDAFS Spring Meeting is as follows:
Thursday, January 26th -Technical Committee meetings
Friday, January 27th - EXCOM Meeting, Continuing Education Workshops, Poster Presentations, Student Best Paper Presentations
Saturday all day and Sunday morning, January 28th-29th - Technical Sessions, Symposia, and Poster Presentations.
Details regarding abstract submission, accommodations, reservations procedures, and meeting registration are available at:
http://www.sdafs.org/meetings/2012/default.htm

Interdisciplinary, GS-09/11

R4-12-558706-SC (DEU), Interdisciplinary, GS-09/11  (Series 401, 408, 486)
National Wildlife Refuge System, Division of Planning and Resource Management
Location will be determined at point of selection in any of the following states:  Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Tennessee
Open Period:  November 4, 2011 to November 28, 2011

The announcement is available for viewing at http://www.usajobs.gov/. or http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/PrintPreview/302491200