Hydrographic Survey Data Technician

The Office of Coast Survey performs surveying and mapping of the marine environment for nautical charting and other purposes. Lynker is seeking to hire a Hydrographic Survey Data Technician to support two divisions within OCS. The candidate must be located in the Charleston, SC area.

The Hydrographic Surveys Division (HSD) is responsible for planning, execution, and delivery of Hydrographic Survey projects and data. Support includes but is not limited to collecting Hydrographic Survey Data on-board NOAA vessels, analyzing/processing raw data and creating intermediate products. In addition, the employee may be required to work with project planners to assess project areas and develop project plans. The Hydrographic Survey Data Technician will assist in collecting, processing, evaluating, and analyzing Hydrographic Surveys, and producing chart update products to solve technical and procedural issues related to hydrographic data acquisition and processing. The Hydrographic Survey Data Technician carries out projects as a full member of a research team or as an independent researcher under general direction and guidance on project objectives, limits, work plans, and conclusions, assessing accuracy and reliability of results and documenting assignments according to accepted principles and methods; or performs non research engineering, economic, statistical, or computer services as an independent technical specialist or analyst in a specific area; or performs other scientific services at an equivalent level of difficulty. Over the past 12 years, historical data shows that the average number of Hydrographic Surveys conducted per season is 10 surveys.

This position requires sea time and any time not deployed in the field is expected to be served in the office maintaining training certifications, supplying administrative support, training lower personnel, integrating and processing data, and supporting internal and external partners and customers.. The employee must work aboard vessels in extreme environmental conditions and choppy seas. Personnel deploying in small boats for operations will have to ascend and descend a rope ladder. The employee must be able to work aboard a moving vessel and occasionally lift equipment that weighs up to 50 lbs. All persons embarked on a NOAA vessel must be able to perform normal work functions and personal emergency response functions while deployed. During an abandon ship event, personnel will have to don a survival suit and/or descend a rope ladder to a life raft or rescue craft. A person at sea should be able to don a survival suit in two minutes while fully clothed without having to remove their shoes. To deploy on a NOAA vessel, personnel must complete a NOAA Form 57-10-01 Health Services Questionnaire and be medically cleared by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Employees must be capable of working up to 12 variable hours per day while deployed to field units for a minimum of 180 days including weekends. Over the past 12 years, historical data shows that the average number of Days At Sea (DAS) per survey season is 116 days.

Tasks of the Hydrographic Survey Data Technician are as follows:

Acquires, processes, and analyzes hydrographic data, including all the ancillary data used to transform raw bathymetric soundings to chart datum. This includes, but is not limited to, heave, pitch, roll, heading, GPS, water level, and CTD/Sound Velocity data. Understands and applies statistical and numerical methods to isolate the source of various data artifacts. Utilizes knowledge of geodetic datums and map projections to render the hydrographic data in a format suitable for analysis and dissemination. Utilizes knowledge of applicable computer and storage technology for data handling, processing and archiving diverse data types. Continually searches for improved processes and writing standard operating procedures.

Use Computer Aided Resource Information System (CARIS), ArcGIS and other software to process, evaluate, and perform quality assurance on Hydrographic Survey Data acquired during the Hydrographic Survey season.

Participate in the development of new technology, systems, and procedures used in hydrography.

Interact with Hydrographic Survey Data users, managers, and others in the marine environment.

Deploy aboard a NOAA vessel and conduct Hydrographic Surveys using echo sounders, oceanographic instruments, Global Positioning System (GPS), data acquisition and processing systems, and Geographic Information systems (GIS).

Maintains familiarity with current Hydrographic Survey techniques, procedures, sensors, and software; continually searches for improved techniques and better technologies; and writes standard operating procedures. Provides input and expertise to HSD maintained manuals and databases.

Produces cartographic and other products from Hydrographic Survey Data. Performs final verification and data quality control of hydrographic data collection and analysis processes. Continually searches for improvements in the process and writes standard operating procedures.

Applies extensive knowledge of geographic, cartographic, and hydrographic methods, for use in the creation and analysis of GIS databases.

Reviews technical procedures; provides input and drafts technical procedures and manuals; implements new policy to ensure continuous process improvement.

Contributes to compilation of final product deliverable; performs necessary quality assurance/quality control protocols to ensure data integrity; reports and documents potential data artifacts.

Makes improvements to a variety of hydrographic technical systems and procedures. Continuously develops further expertise through training and development in emerging technologies to provide continuous innovation to OMAO data acquisition processes.

Follows the data acquisition, quality management, and submission plan that includes satisfying metadata requirements, safeguarding unsubmitted data, and submitting data to shoreside repositories according to OMAO and MO data management policy.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small 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 and diverse 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 proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.