NOAA Fisheries Special Notice of Intent to a Single Source-Cetacean and Seabird Observer Services

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking a cetacean and seabird observer to collect data during a large-scale, vessel-based, line-transect cetacean survey in the Gulf of Alaska. The observer will be responsible for sighting, identifying, and documenting species of all cetaceans and seabirds observed, as well as managing a photographic database and writing summaries of photo-ID encounters. The ideal candidate will have at least 24 months of cumulative experience working as a cetacean observer from large vessels, experience with photo-ID photograph collection and photo database management, and the ability to identify cetaceans and seabirds to species level. • The observer will be required to participate in the 2026 IWC-POWER survey, which will take place in the southern Gulf of Alaska and eastern North Pacific Ocean. • The survey will last for 50 continuous days at sea, with limited communication abilities. • The observer must be comfortable spending up to two months at sea without in-ports and must know basic Japanese sayings, as well as field-work and vessel-specific vocabulary. • The observer will be responsible for managing the photographic database, including importing and sorting photos, QA/QC'ing image quality, and coding photographs using specific keywords. • The observer will also be required to author portions of the final cruise report, including writing summaries of photo-ID encounters and presenting seabird observation results in a clear and concise manner.