Protected Species Acoustician

Closing Date: March 15, 2026

General Description

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is hiring for a contract Protected Species Acoustician to assist the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MADMF) Protected Species Program Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) project in detecting large whales acoustically in coastal Massachusetts. MADMF launched a PAM project in Feb 2025 consisting of 17 bottom-mounted archival stations and two real-time stations. The project is primarily focused on using acoustic detections to better understand the behavior and habitat use of North Atlantic right whales. The findings from this project are aimed at providing information to manage fisheries and vessel speed restrictions in local waters. The Protected Species Acoustician will work alongside MADMF's Protected Species Science and Monitoring Lead and other support staff to meet monitoring goals in coastal Massachusetts.

Primary responsibilities include deployment, maintenance, and purchasing of PAM equipment as well as acoustic data management and signal validation. This role will assist MADMF's Protected Species Program with the synthesis and presentation of results, including in collaboration with regional partners. The Protected Species Acoustician position is currently a one-year appointment, with the option to amend or extend pursuant to performance, available funding, and at the discretion of MADMF.

Specific duties include

• Help to properly maintain passive acoustic monitoring equipment, including SoundTraps model 600s, Innovasea acoustic receivers (VR2AR), and satellite beacons (Xeos Apollo X), to maintain operational PAM systems.
• As part of a team, deploy and recover systems at-sea multiple times per year.
• Aid in managing acoustic data, including storage and quality assurance/quality control.
• Analyze broad-spectrum acoustic data for the presence of baleen whales by validating target signals according to existing protocols.
• Assist the Protected Species Science and Monitoring lead with project management, including grants, budgets, and reports.
• In collaboration with MADMF staff, write and present technical and non-technical work related to protected species issues in Massachusetts.
• Assist the Protected Species Program with additional tasks as necessary to maintain a comprehensive marine protected species program.

Qualifications Required at Hire

• Previous experience in passive acoustic monitoring, bioacoustics, soundscape ecology, and/or ambient noise analysis.
• Experience with the deployment, servicing, and purchasing duties needed to maintain passive acoustic monitoring stations.
• Knowledge of cetacean biology, ecology, and/or behavior (particularly acoustic behavior and ecology of baleen whales in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean).
• Detail-oriented, especially related to data management and project organization.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills related to presenting information orally and writing reports and publications.
• Familiarity with project administration, including budget tracking, contracts, and progress reports.
• Ability to work independently and within a team to reach project goals and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Raven Pro and the Low-Frequency Detection and Classification System (LFDCS).
• Experience with computer programming languages, including R, Python, and/or MATLAB, as well as code documentation (e.g. GitHub or other similar approaches).
• Experience with ArcGIS, spatial analysis, and mapping.
• Experience deploying research equipment in a marine environment.
• Experience in visual survey of marine mammals.
• Knowledge of North Atlantic right whale conservation issues, human impact mitigation, and the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.
• Knowledge of the commercial fisheries that occur in Massachusetts State waters.
• Experience working on vessels, including commercial fishing boats and small trailer boats.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

Applicants must have at least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, para-professional or technical experience in marine biology or fisheries management work, of which at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:
A Bachelor's degree with a major in marine, fisheries, or wildlife biology; fisheries or wildlife management; marine science or oceanography may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.

A Graduate degree with a major in marine, fisheries, or fisheries or wildlife biology; fisheries or wildlife management; marine science or oceanography may be substituted for one year of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.

Work Environment

The contract Protected Species Acoustician will be based at MADMF's Division of Marine Fisheries office in New Bedford, MA. Field work (including day trips and overnight trips) will be required. Part-time telework may be available for up to two days per week.

This position is not eligible for overtime. Compensatory time and flexible working hours (with supervisory approval) are available; however, the Protected Species Acoustician is a full-time position (40 hours per week), and outside of weeks with fieldwork, the incumbent is expected to work eight (8) hours per day, five (5) days per week during normal business hours. As this role involves fieldwork, occasional long days, including late nights/early mornings, as well as work on weekends, are required.

Supervision

The Protected Species Acoustician reports directly to MADMF Supervising Biologists. The incumbent is expected to exercise initiative in addressing the needs of data collection, data analysis and other areas of responsibility, with specific guidance from MADMF's program staff.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's Class D license or equivalent license from the state in which the incumbent resides.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Ability to work at-sea in variable weather conditions, including in year-round New England weather.