Commercial Fishing Gear Technician and Small Boat Operator

About the role

Lynker Corporation is seeking Commercial Fishing Gear Technicians and Small Boat Operators to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Fisheries Assessment, Technology & Engineering Support (FATES) Division.

Responsibilities

• Duties of the Fishing Gear Technician will include the following:
• Construct, repair, and maintain Turtle Excluder Devices, Bycatch Reduction Devices, and other selective fishing gear.
• Prepare fishing gear for use as training aids and in Harvesting Unit research projects.
• Provide gear expertise and assistance for fishery-independent and fishery-dependent evaluations of modified fishing gear.
• Operate and maintain Class A, Class I, and Class II Mississippi Laboratory research vessels.
• Trailer vessels and other large or heavy loads across rural and interstate highways.
• Assist with workshops, industry meetings, and dockside training for commercial fishers on federally required fishing gear.
• Conduct training for federal and state marine law enforcement personnel on fishing gear inspection procedures.
• Conduct at-sea and dockside inspections of Turtle Excluder Devices and document technical compliance with federal regulations.
• Read trawl-construction diagrams and perform trawl sewing and repair.
• Aid in the preparation of technical, instructional, oral, and printed training materials.
• Deliver oral and hands-on demonstrations concerning the construction and proper use of Turtle Excluder Devices.
• Prepare trip reports, outreach reports, vessel logbooks, and other required activity summaries.
• Assist with emergency responses involving oil spills or other events affecting sea turtles.
• Maintain equipment, vessels, warehouse areas, shop spaces, and related work areas.

Qualifications

• The Fishing Gear Technician should have the following:
• At least two years of experience in net construction and repair.
• At least two years of experience operating and maintaining small boats and associated equipment.
• Ability to obtain, within one year of hire, a United States Coast Guard Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels license and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
• Ability to obtain and maintain 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Red Cross CPR and Basic First Aid certifications.
• Ability to maintain all certifications and training required by the NOAA Small Boat Program.
• Ability to write summary trip reports.
• Ability to read and understand federal fisheries regulations.
• Physical ability to embark and disembark unassisted between a dock and a stationary vessel and between two vessels moving at sea, using both hands and feet.
• The ideal Fishing Gear Technician will have the following preferred qualifications:
• Experience working in a commercial shrimp-trawl fishery or net shop.
• Knowledge of selective fishing methods and commercial fishing technology.
• Experience conducting public outreach events and public speaking.
• Basic computer and word-processing skills.
• Ability to read, write, and speak Vietnamese.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee-owned business specializing in professional, scientific, and technical services. Our team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to deliver 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 placing the right people in the right places to be effective, and having the right people is crucial for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities creatively and effectively.

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Opportunity 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.