Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist

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Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist

Location: Seattle, WA

Position

Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist

Reports To:

FLSA:

Exempt

Location:

Seattle, WA

Posted:

7/15/26

Job Description

Embrace the opportunity to join Innovate! Inc. and become a valued member of our team. We are seeking driven individuals who are passionate about leveraging technology to tackle environmental challenges and drive positive change. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are eager to contribute your skills and expertise to innovative projects, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity further. Read on to learn more about how you can be part of our dynamic team.

Innovate! Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Oceanographic Data Scientist & Field Operations Specialist to combine quantitative ecology, oceanographic and fisheries data science, scientific synthesis, and field support to evaluate predator-prey dynamics and predation-related mortality affecting Pacific salmon and convert complex West Coast ecological data into actionable management products.

*Contingent upon contract being awarded*

Location: Work will be conducted on-site at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington (WA) or at one of its associated field stations in WA or Oregon

Salary Range: $115,000 - $155,000

Position status: Full Time; with benefits

Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with match, Life Insurance, and PTO

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compile, organize, clean, standardize, and analyze large spatial and temporal datasets related to predator-prey distributions, predator abundance, predator diet, bioenergetics, environmental conditions, and salmon survival.
• Develop spatial-temporal and quantitative analyses that evaluate localized environmental effects on predator-prey distributions and predation rates on managed fish populations.
• Quantify trophic interactions, predation pressure, sources of predator-induced mortality, and survival implications for Pacific salmon.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews addressing predator consumption rates, abundance and distribution, ecological outcomes, environmental stressors, and changing environmental conditions.
• Synthesize findings into technical reports, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, book chapters, management briefings, and publication-ready scientific products.
• Present complex research results to NWFSC colleagues, regional managers, interdisciplinary partners, and broader scientific audiences.
• Collect fish and environmental field data in freshwater and marine environments when required, including work in harsh conditions and operation or use of federal vehicles, boats, and trailers when authorized.
• Develop and maintain cleaned datasets, analytical scripts, and code repositories containing predator diet composition, bioenergetics data, abundance indices, or related ecological information.
• Create fully documented, reproducible analytical workflows in reports, manuscripts, GitHub, and other version-controlled repositories.
• Ensure data stewardship, methodological transparency, accessibility, QA/QC, and interactive use of research products by internal and external stakeholders.

REQUIRED SKILLS & TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Advanced knowledge of quantitative ecology, trophic ecology, predator-prey modeling, fisheries science, oceanography, ecosystem dynamics, and scientific data synthesis.
• Strong quantitative skills in spatial-temporal modeling, ecological data analysis, statistical interpretation, and scientific visualization.
• Working proficiency with R, GitHub, GIS, and other analytical, geospatial, or scientific programming tools.
• Experience organizing large ecological datasets and producing accessible codebases, documented workflows, and publication-ready analytical products.
• Familiarity with Pacific salmon predators, including birds, marine mammals, invasive fish, or other key West Coast predator guilds, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Pacific salmon ecology and the freshwater, estuarine, nearshore, and ocean habitats managed by NOAA Fisheries.
• Understanding of open-science concepts, version control, reproducibility, scientific repositories, and transparent data stewardship.
• Excellent technical writing, peer-reviewed publishing, presentation, and analytical briefing skills.
• Ability to manage dynamic workloads, maintain organization, meet timelines, work independently in the field, and collaborate within interdisciplinary scientific teams.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Doctorate from an accredited institution in geomorphology, oceanography, hydrology, fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field.
• Five or more years of directly relevant experience; advanced-degree substitutions may be applied consistent with the PWS.
• Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative fisheries or ecological research, data synthesis, statistical or spatial modeling, and scientific publication.
• Experience supporting NOAA Fisheries, NWFSC, SWFSC, WCR, another NOAA program, or a comparable federal, tribal, academic, or marine research organization is strongly preferred.
• Experience with Pacific salmon, West Coast predation research, marine mammal or seabird ecology, invasive fish, bioenergetics, ocean observing systems, or ecosystem-based fisheries management is highly desirable.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, be able to perform field work in harsh conditions and around water, and satisfy federal Public Trust background investigation requirements.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Innovate! Inc. is a certified woman-owned consulting firm founded in 2002 by Lily Thomas. We provide innovative solutions to management, technology, and program challenges, with a focus on performance, integrity, and building lasting partnerships with our clients. Our team of over 100 experts includes IT and geospatial specialists, program and project management consultants, environmental scientists, and communications and outreach strategists. Our clients include federal, state, tribal, and local governments, private industry, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and utilities. Recent awards we received for excellent service include the 2022 SAG Team Award and 2022 Esri Partner Conference High Potential Award.

Innovate is a fast-paced, rapidly growing group of entrepreneurs creating a culture of excellence. Rapid advancement within our organization is not only possible but also encouraged. To view our website, visit innovateteam.com.

Innovate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, status as a Disabled Veteran, Recently Separated Veteran, Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or cannot access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact us at careers@innovateteam.com.