Spatial Ecologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lynker is seeking a Geospatial Fisheries Analyst – Salmon Habitat and Life Cycle Modeling to support NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC), Fish Ecology Division, in conducting geospatial analysis of large salmon and habitat datasets. This proposed contract role will integrate spatial and remotely sensed datasets, compute spatial indices, and support incorporation of spatial data into fish life cycle models used to evaluate management scenarios. Hiring for this position will be contingent on contract award. Lynker will be operating under its FLOAT joint venture, a NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 prime contract holder.*

The NWFSC Fish Ecology Division conducts ecological research on marine and anadromous species to support fisheries management, ESA-protected species, habitat understanding, and ecosystem-based management. Modern fisheries management requires advanced quantitative analysis, modern data stewardship, and transparent workflows that can transform large empirical datasets into defensible insights. This role supports geospatial data products and analyses used to evaluate salmon, habitats, and management scenarios across freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments.

• Integrate spatial and remotely sensed datasets across freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine habitats using advanced GIS analysis.
• Compute spatial indices from large datasets, including prey availability, predator abundance, and habitat conditions, for use in assessment tools.
• Contribute to incorporation of spatial datasets and indices into fish life cycle models used to evaluate management scenarios.
• Lead data processing and visualization.
• Share compiled data, comprehensive workflow protocols, and research products so others can easily interact with them and understand what was done.
• Collect fish and environmental data in freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore marine environments of the West Coast region.
• Conduct field work outdoors in or around water, including in sometimes harsh conditions.
• Drive vehicles and/or boats and trailers, and provide occasional assistance on ship surveys lasting days to weeks, as needed.
• Write reports, contribute to journal manuscripts, and present results at regional meetings and scientific conferences, as needed.
• Store datasets produced by geospatial analysis in an accessible and organized way.
• Support interactive data dashboards backed by code repositories, where appropriate.
• Document reproducible workflows in written reports and code repositories.
• Provide written status reports and other ad hoc communications, as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in a field of study related to the requirements of the task order, with emphasis in fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, oceanography, or hydrology.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience writing reports and publishing peer-reviewed articles.
• Familiarity with common workplace software such as Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Strong quantitative skills, including familiarity with modeling and data analysis.
• Familiarity with software such as R and GitHub, or GIS, and with open science concepts.
• Strong background using GIS, including ArcPro, QGIS, etc., to collate and analyze large spatial datasets.
• Ability to manage workload, stay organized, and produce high-quality work products efficiently.
• Ability to work both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.
• Valid driver’s license, maintained during the period of performance.

• Three years of experience related to the task order, including familiarity with the species and habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries in the West Coast region.
• Advanced degree, MS or PhD, in a related field may be substituted for two years of experience.

Work will be conducted on-site at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA, or at one of its associated field stations in WA or OR. Work may be performed at other than the government facility on a limited basis and in coordination with the COR and Project Lead. Part-time telework is authorized with a formal telework agreement between the contractor and employee, subject to Office of the Chief Information Officer IT security requirements.

Field collection involves work outdoors in sometimes harsh conditions in or around water. The role may involve driving vehicles and/or boats and trailers and occasional assistance on ship surveys. Travel is anticipated and authorized for this task order and must be approved by the Contractor in coordination with the COR before travel occurs. Contractor personnel may periodically be required to drive Government Vehicles after completing Government Defensive Driving training. Overtime is not anticipated and, if required, must be coordinated through the CO and approved in writing on a case-by-case basis.

This project is considered low risk, and Contractor staff must be suited for public trust classification. Background investigations are required for all contractor staff proposed for this project and must be cleared prior to beginning performance.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

*This position is advertised through our joint venture, FISH and Lynker Ocean Alliance Team (FLOAT), a partnership between Lynker and Fisheries Immersed Sciences Hawaii (FISH) serving the NOAA ProTech Fisheries 2.0 IDIQ contracting vehicle.