Job Title: Marine Debris Technician (seasonal sea-going)
Location: Kailua (Oahu), Hawaii
Hourly Salary: $15.29/hour

NOTE: Applications must include a cover letter and resume with three references in order to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Job Description / Scope of Work:

IBSS is seeking up to twelve (12) Marine Debris Technicians (seasonal sea-going) to support the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) (www.pmdphawaii.org) in conducting large-scale underwater and shoreline derelict fishing gear and marine debris removal operations at the remote islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) for up to 60 total sea days per year.

Employment is approximately 5 months in duration, planned for May 8 – October 6, 2023 (tentative), with two separate 30-day field missions (cruises) to the PMNM (tentatively scheduled for July 5 – August 1, 2023 and August 26 – September 22, 2023). The technicians will support PMDP in all phases of the field operations from: field equipment preparation (small boats, outboard motors, safety equipment, survey equipment), field work execution (two separate 30-day missions living aboard a 185-ft chartered vessel ship, operating small boats and free-dive snorkeling to remove derelict fishing nets from shallow coral reefs and shorelines, and collecting data), field work demobilization (including marine debris transport and disposal), and equipment servicing and repair.

Key Responsibilities:

• Participate in two separate 30-day marine debris removal field missions (60 total days at sea) aboard a large vessel (~185-ft in length) to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), serving as a small boat operator and free-dive snorkeler to remove derelict fishing gear and other debris from shallow coral reefs (0-30 ft depths) and shoreline environments.
• Conducts underwater free-diving (breath-hold snorkeling) survey and removal operations to assess, monitor, and mitigate the threats of marine debris to coral reef ecosystems in the PMNM.
• Conducts shoreline marine debris removal operations at the islands and atolls in the PMNM.
• Supports operational planning of small boat and free-dive operations using ArcGIS.
• Collects data and identifies different types of marine debris and benthic habitats using various survey techniques and procedures.
• Prepares, maintains, and troubleshoots field equipment, including inflatable small boats, outboard motors, dive equipment, small boat equipment, safety equipment, and survey equipment.
• Assists with field equipment inspection, inventorying, and repair, as well as purchasing of equipment and supplies.
• Collects, QA/QCs, and processes marine debris and other data, and assists with preparing summary reports for publication and presentation.
• Assists with the transport and disposal of marine debris.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien.
• Minimum of one (1) year of post-high school work experience or schooling.
• Must meet Medical Doctor’s health criteria for in-water (post employment dive physical examination) and at-sea duty on large vessels, which includes meeting the physical, watermanship, and experience requirements.
• Must possess SCUBA certification of at minimum Basic Open-Water through an accredited dive institution (i.e. PADI, NAUI).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license to assist with transporting small boats, equipment, and supplies.
• Must possess good written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to work well independently or as part of a team.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Marine Sciences or related field.
• One to three (1-3) years of experience in marine fieldwork, with previous experience at-sea for extended periods of time (up to 30 consecutive days or 60 total days) and ability to lift fifty (50) pounds of marine debris or equipment repeatedly during a single day, for up to 30 consecutive days.
• Ability to pass all training requirements, including but not limited to: Diving First-Aid for Professional Divers (DFA Pro) Adult First-Aid / Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED) / Oxygen Administration, Basic Small Boat Operator (equivalent to Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) and Open-Water Module (OWM), Level 1 Free-Diver, and Marine Debris Specialized Task Endorsement (STE).
• Proficient in the open ocean as a boat operator: State of Hawaii Boating License and/or Dept. of the Interior (DOI) Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) and Open-Water Module (OWM) certifications, and experience operating 16-26 ft small boats.
• Proficient in the open ocean as a swimmer: swimming/snorkeling and breath-hold free-diving skills to pass the watermanship test of 500-m swim in 15 minutes and a 25-m (lateral, not depth) breath-hold swim.
• Proficient in small boat, dive, and ship operations, with experience inspecting, maintaining, operating, troubleshooting and repairing inflatable small boats, outboard motors, dive equipment, and rigging and lifting equipment.
• Previous experience working in the PMNM around Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, sea birds, and other wildlife and habitats.
• Proficient in basic Microsoft Office, Google suite, and Adobe productivity software tools.
• Previous experience with basic power tools and hand tools.

IBSS is a Woman-Owned business. Since 1992, IBSS has provided specialized professional, scientific, technical, cybersecurity, IT, and software engineering solutions to the Federal sector. Our clients include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Justice (DOJ). We are committed to serving our clients and employees by delivering service excellence, creating value through technology, and continually improving our skills, services, and processes. Moreover, we maintain an ISO 9001:2015 certification which allows us to optimize current industry best practices to enhance delivery outcomes for our clients.

IBSS offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage with company-paid deductible, paid time off, federal holidays, matching 401K plan, tuition/professional development reimbursement, and Flex-Spending (FSA)/Dependent Care Account (DCA) options.

IBSS is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.