Fisheries Observer and Data Collector

Overview:
Marine Scotland are a globally renowned part of Scottish Government (SG) and this is an exciting time to be joining both Marine Scotland and the Scottish Government

The Marine Scotland (MS) Directorate is undergoing a significant period of transformation through organisational design, which will result in a new portfolio management approach that will incorporate colleagues from science, compliance and policy working together to deliver on key strategic outcomes. It is an exciting and challenging time to be part of Marine Scotland, which is a globally renowned part of Scottish Government (SG).

We are looking to recruit two Fisheries Observer and Data Collectors to undertake data collection associated with the catch sampling programme (sampling of landed catches of fish and shellfish across Scottish landing ports, and discards at sea) and fisheries independent surveys of stocks undertaken by research vessels or chartered vessels.

You will work within the Data Collection Group of the Fisheries Data Programme, which provides the data and evidence required to undertake stock assessments and provide international advice on catching opportunities for stocks of interest to the Scottish fishing industry.

The Data Collection (DC) Group consists of 20 full-time scientists and is one of the three constituent groups within the Fisheries Data Programme of Marine Scotland Science. The responsibilities of the DC group focus on the collection of a wide-range of fishery data from various stock areas and sources.

You will contribute in helping Marine Scotland Science to provide data, as required in the UK annual work plan, for fisheries data collection. Data collected is provided internationally to allow stock assessments to be undertaken and advice provided on sustainable catching opportunities to government.

You will play an important part in assisting the need to develop and maintain essential skills in fish, shellfish sampling and age determination (where relevant), thereby maintaining Marine Scotland Science’s capacity to collect data and perform stock assessments for quota and non-quota species important to the Scottish economy.

This role will involve regular work at sea, onboard commercial fishing and research vessels to record data and take samples from catches and discarded fish. Full training will be provided prior to carrying out any onboard duties. You will also be required to drive to remote locations all around Scotland to collect data on landed catches from fish markets and processors.

You should be aware that you will have a varied work pattern and be required, on occasion, to work unsociable hours.

The Data Collection (DC) Group consists of 20 full-time scientists and is one of the three constituent groups within the Fisheries Data Programme of Marine Scotland Science. The responsibilities of the DC group focus on the collection of a wide-range of fishery data from various stock areas and sources.

**Responsibilities**:

- Sample fish and shellfish at landing ports, markets and processing factories around Scotland
- Participate in research vessel surveys, carrying out sampling of fish, shellfish and other associated materials
- Carry out sampling of fish and shellfish catches whilst working at sea on board commercial fishing vessels
- Train in fish species age determination (otolith reading) using a microscope, and to participate in quality checking of age data, and internal and international inter-calibration exercises
- Carry out laboratory-based work as required, which could include preparation of otoliths, data collation, data entry into Excel or a database, quality checking, video analysis, data analysis using GIS or the statistical package R, and the writing of reports

**Competencies**:
Self-awareness

Team work

Information Management

Communications and Engagement

Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
UK Driving License

**(the role involves driving therefore a UK driving licence is mandatory)**

**Essential Criteria**:
1. Good organisational skills, ability to plan and prioritise work and use your own initiative.

2. To be a confident communicator with good verbal and written communication skills.

3. Experience of collecting, accurately recording, and entering data in to basic computer packages (e.g. Excel).

4. Experience of working with fish and/or shellfish on sea going commercial or research vessels.

**Location**:
You will be able to work flexibly between home and Scottish Government premises, but regular attendance at the Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen AB11 9DB will be required for meetings, training, data processing etc.

The post is land based however, you will be required, multiple times a year, to be at sea on research and fishing vessels.

**Interview and Assessment**:Dates to be confirmed

**Minimum time in post**:
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

**HOW TO APPLY & A