We’re hiring: Manager, telemetry operations

Job title: Manager, Telemetry Operations

Reports to: Senior Operations Manager

Faculty/Department: Biology, Ocean Tracking Network

Starting salary: $75,000 – $80,000

Expected start date: January 1, 2025

Location:  Halifax, NS

The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is an international marine and freshwater monitoring platform that focuses on tracking the movements of aquatic animals in the context of a changing environment. Established in 2008, OTN is one of 19 National Research Facilities supported by the Major Science Initiatives (MSI) funding program of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the senior operations manager, this position oversees the operations and maintenance of OTN’s acoustic array infrastructure. The manager is responsible for resource planning, supporting procurement of field supplies and equipment, and scheduling of personnel time for missions. This individual is an expert in the deployment, recovery, and maintenance of acoustic receivers and related technology and is comfortable working in a wide variety of marine and freshwater environments. Excellent management skills, including leadership, communication, and team building, are essential.

This position requires a high degree of flexibility. Regular evening and weekend work is required, as is extended time at sea during field missions. This position travels regularly within Canada and occasionally internationally to support telemetry operations. This position consists of approximately 65% managerial duties and 35% field-based work, subject to organizational needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Supervise OTN field staff, including field technicians, ROV staff, and various students, interns, and volunteers. Lead by example and serve as a mentor to staff to foster career growth and development.
  • Develop an annual schedule of all field activities for all field team staff and making sure these are communicated to the team well in advance of missions. Actively support staff to ensure work plans and understood and delivered upon successfully. Utilize OTN’s core collaborative working platforms to coordinate work efficiently, including Asana, Gitlab, and One Drive, and ensure field personnel are utilizing platforms as expected.
  • Work closely with the finance and operations manager to prepare and update an annual budget forecast.
  • With guidance from the senior management team, prepare and update a long term (3-5 year) forecast for field operations. 
  • Fulfill core field technician duties as required, including:
    • Leading and preparing for missions at-sea.
    • Assisting with equipment refurbishments.
    • Maintaining a safe and tidy workshop.
    • Supporting the successful delivery of OTN’s equipment loaner program, including advising on proposals and fulfilling approved loans.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures to ensure OTN field activities are aligned with industry best practices, fulfill organizational needs, and meet institutional requirements.
  • Support OTN outreach and publicity activities, including attending events, meetings, and conferences as required

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Undergraduate degree in biology, oceanography or equivalent, with a minimum of seven years’ experience working with acoustic telemetry and related technologies, with progressively senior responsibilities.
  • Expert understanding of acoustic receiver technology and animal tracking, including tagging.
  • Highly knowledgeable about working in an at-sea environment in a wide variety of conditions, with an emphasis on marine safety. Experience with spatial mapping programs, GPS technology, plotting coordinates, and navigation.
  • Excellent communication skills. Able to communicate effectively in various forms (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) and to various audiences, including internally (team, colleagues, management) and externally (fishermen, vessel operators, scientists).
  • Demonstrated leadership skills. Able to effectively build and maintain trust with team members.
  • Highly process-oriented with good attention to detail. Able to develop and implement practices and workflows that enhance operational effectiveness.
  • Excellent time management skills. Able to effectively prioritize and manage competing interests, identify and follow processes that support good time management, and delegate work appropriately.
  • Exceptional problem-solving abilities. Able to think critically and identify and implement effective solutions.
  • Good financial literacy. Able to understand financial processes, including budgeting and procurement.
  • Physically capable of conducting manual labour and able to lift >30kg.
  • Able and certified to handle small boats, including inflatables.
  • Possess a valid driver’s licence and be certified to operate a forklift.
  • Able to travel locally and internationally.

ASSETS:

  • Fluency in French.
  • Experience using collaborative work platforms (i.e., Asana, Gitlab).
  • Experience talking to the media.

TO APPLY:

Applications are due by November 15, 2024. Interested candidates should apply via PeopleAdmin: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/17821

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.