HDR is currently in need of a Marine Scientist/Technical Project Manager for our Virginia Beach, VA location. The ideal candidate will have project management expertise, a strong marine science background with emphasis on the effects of underwater sound to marine mammals, and experience with marine mammal behavioral ecology.
This position will assist in a wide range of project management, boat and small aircraft fieldwork, team support roles with our current clients, and ultimately expand our client-base in the Norfolk, VA area with an anticipated concentration of work assignments in the western Mid-Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico areas but also including occasional projects in the Pacific Ocean region.
Primary Responsibilities
- First and foremost, provide project management services for our U.S. Navy client as part of HDR’s Marine Species Monitoring Program team
- Manage multiple projects from conception, planning, budgeting, and completion. Anticipated concentration of work assignments is expected to be within the western Mid-Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico areas
- Assist in a wide range of project management and team support roles with our current clients and expand our client-base in the Mid-Atlantic region
- Assist with small boat tagging and survey efforts, twin-engine aerial surveys, data processing and analysis, and annual reporting efforts
- Perform other duties as needed.
Required Qualifications
- Masters or Ph.D. Degree in Marine Biology, Sciences, or a related field
- Experience managing scientific research projects focused on marine mammal biology or behavior in a consulting or university-related research capacity; ideally this would include a background of direct interface with customers
- Be detail oriented to perform work accurately in a team-oriented environment and have the demonstrated ability to direct the work of others including subcontractors
- Demonstrated history of reliability, strong work ethic, solid time management skills, and a demonstrated history of team-oriented performance.
- Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills such as writing procedures, guides, and/or studies
- Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
- Ability to travel up to 25%. Applicants can anticipate limited travel throughout the U.S.
- Qualified candidates must have the ability to obtain a security clearance at the secret level.
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive marine science background with specific interests focused on one or more of the following: marine mammal behavior, behavioral responses to stimuli, and/or understanding the effects of underwater sound on marine mammals
- Knowledge of U.S. Navy training, oil and gas development, construction noise monitoring, or offshore renewable energy activities a plus
- Unmanned aerial systems (a.k.a. drone) experience with FAA certification a plus but not required to apply
- MATLAB and/or R Studio programming experience a plus but not required to apply
