Job title: Field Operations Data Acquisition Coordinator (FODAC)
Reports to: Data Services Manager
Salary: $63,648 – $80,594
Term Duration: 1 year, with strong possibility of renewal
Location: Halifax, NS
The Ocean Tracking Network (OTN) is an aquatic research organization headquartered at Dalhousie University, and one of six Major Research Facilities funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)—and the only CFI national research infrastructure based in Atlantic Canada. Since 2008, OTN has been deploying innovative ocean monitoring equipment and marine autonomous vehicles (gliders) across key ocean and freshwater locations in Canada and around the world.
OTN is a pan-Canadian and global leader in marine animal tracking and oceanographic monitoring, supporting key federal priorities in ocean science, innovation, climate resilience, and economic development. Through its technical expertise, infrastructure, and cross-sectoral partnerships, OTN underpins these national priorities by advancing ocean observing capabilities, supporting evidence-based marine management, and training a highly skilled workforce.
JOB PURPOSE:
OTN has over 8,000 users globally and partners with researchers, governments, industry, and Indigenous and coastal communities to advance how we understand and study the ocean. This vast network generates significant data to be acquired, processed, and readied for analysis. The OTN database currently holds over two billion detection records and is rapidly growing each year. OTN supports its users through data management and computer programming workshops and curriculum, developing open-source analysis tools, and establishing new regional nodes as part of the OTN ecosystem.
Reporting directly to the Data Services Manager and indirectly to the Telemetry Operations Manager, the Field Operations-Data Acquisition Coordinator (FODAC) facilitates inter-departmental linkages between OTN’s Telemetry and Data teams to ensure the smooth and timely exchange of data and information. This individual ensures the smooth and efficient acquisition, quality control, and continued flow of data into the care of OTN. This is an outward facing position that regularly interacts and collaborates with scientists and professionals across all sectors (academia, government, industry, NGO), and parts of the world. This individual also serves as a Field Technician during peak periods and is expected to prepare, deploy, maintain, and retrieve data from acoustic receivers and oceanographic monitoring equipment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position is based in Halifax and travels within Canada and internationally 2-3 times per year in addition to any ship-based field work. Considerable fluctuation of work hours is expected, especially during the field season.
Key responsibilities:
Data Acquisition (60%)
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- Lead and coordinate all aspects of data acquisition, including liaising with collaborators to acquire data and metadata in a timely fashion and in accordance with the OTN and partner’s data policies, perform data processing, loading and quality control of telemetry data to the data system, resolve data issues and deficiencies, and collaborate with OTN database developers to inform and design new features to improve processes.
- Guide external partners with implementation and revision of their data management plans to ensure ongoing compliance with OTN and partner data quality procedures and data policies.
- Collaborate with project partners and data providers to design, implement, and refine data pipelines and data quality procedures
- Inform and support the design of data products to advance novel ways of interpreting and visualizing data to inform data analysis and decision making
- Develop and implement data management workshop curricula and administer training to parties working with OTN’s network of networks, partners, and data contributors.
Field Operations (40%)
- Facilitate inter-departmental communication, support and ensure field team tracking relevant activities in OTN metadata, task management and inventory tracking systems (deployed equipment but also shipment statuses – outgoing and incoming, tracking and recovery of found equipment, etc.)
- Plan, prepare, and execute at-sea missions for the Telemetry team, including mission logistics, mobilization, transportation, operation and assisting in the preparation and submission of all necessary mission reports.
- Ensure data, metadata, and any ancillary mission output (ROV footage, etc.) is properly archived on OTN servers and ensure necessary documentation and storage is adhered to.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
- Undergraduate degree in marine biology, informatics, or an equivalent technical degree; advanced diploma in ocean technology preferred.
- Strong understanding of bioinformatics data and terminology
- Demonstrated experience performing quality control measures on human-generated data
- Strong familiarity with animal telemetry data and equipment, acoustic receivers, or other oceanographic or biological data.
- Experience working with data in commonly used programming languages (R, Python)
- Experience working with, office software packages, and collaborative project management platforms (i.e., Asana, Monday.com).
- Demonstrated experience conducting field missions to deploy telemetry and/or other oceanographic equipment.
Skills and Abilities
- Comfortable working in an at-sea environment in a wide variety of conditions.
- Experience operating and/or working on small vessels.
- Able to prioritize and complete multiple simultaneous projects while following protocols and procedures, documenting activities and ensuring checklists are followed.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to liaise with a wide variety of stakeholders including fishermen, ship captains, researchers, and industry.
- Strong problem-solving abilities with the ability to adapt and respond quickly to unforeseen challenges in a field environment.
- Able to travel internationally.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Able to safely lift >20kg.
- Physically fit, able to confidently work in a marine environment managing seasickness, and able to safely lift >30kg
- Able to operate small vessels for ROV and telemetry operations.
- Must pass a Mariners Medical Examination
- Possess a valid driver’s license, be comfortable driving and operating 1-tonne trucks while towing trailers.
- Safe operation of hand and power tools.
- Strong situational awareness with the ability to identify, assess and mitigate any hazards while following safety standards.
- Excellent facilitation skills. Able to facilitate effective meetings, conduct training, and deliver technical workshops to a wide variety of learners
- Excellent organizational skills with a high attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to communicate effectively in-person, virtually, digitally, and asynchronously
Assets
- Experience with geospatial data.
- Experience with marine data collection.
- Fluency in French or Spanish.
TO APPLY: Interested candidates should apply via PeopleAdmin by November 9, 2026: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/22483
NOTE: This is a unionized position. Non-probationary bargaining unit employees (PSAC Local 86001) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.