Galveston Bay Foundation seeks Dolphin Research Assistant (Temporary Position)

Organization Background
The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) is a nonprofit organization located on the Upper Texas Coast that has worked for 38 years to preserve and enhance one of the world’s most productive estuaries—Galveston Bay—as
a healthy and productive place for generations to come. We have diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, research, youth education, and advocacy. Our office is located in Kemah,
Texas. To learn more about the Galveston Bay Foundation, please visit www.galvbay.org or find us on social media.

Position Title: Research Assistant
Reports to: Director of Dolphin Research and Conservation
Classification: Temporary – 35 hours/week (average)
Pay Rate: $16.00/hour
Dates: May 27, 2025 to October 24, 2025

Summary: The Galveston Bay Foundation is seeking a temporary research assistant for the Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program (GDRP). The GDRP is a collaboration between the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. The Research Assistant will help with the collection, entry and analysis of bottlenose dolphin population data in Galveston Bay, Texas. The position will entail a combination of field and office work (both in-person and remote) and will provide experience for individuals interested in developing a professional career in marine mammal science. To learn more about the GDRP, please visit galvestonbaydolphin.org

Specific Duties

• Assist in the collection of photo-identification survey data of bottlenose dolphins in Galveston Bay
• Assist in managing a database of dolphin survey photos and associated data
• Perform photo-analysis of dolphin data
• Coordinate land-based dolphin surveys conducted by citizen scientists
• Supervise and train citizen scientists
• Assist with a variety of data organization and analyses tasks (utilizing Excel, FinBase, and/or R)
• Assist with the development and preparation of maps, reports, literature reviews, and newsletters.
  Qualifications
  Required
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, marine science, wildlife studies, or related field
• Previous experience with marine mammal field research
• Previous experience performing photo-identification of marine mammals
• Competency using word, data and image processing software including Microsoft Office
• Ability to work long field days on a small boat in Texas heat, often in inclement or challenging
  conditions
• Ability to carefully follow instructions, work independently on sometimes tedious and/or repetitive
  tasks, and pay close attention to detail
• Be an excellent team member with the ability to communicate and work with others both in person
  and remotely
• Must have availability Monday-Sunday for field work for the duration of employment. Field work will
  take place most Saturdays.
• Must secure their own housing near Kemah, TX or Galveston, TX
• Must be a United States citizen or have permanent resident alien status
• Successfully pass a criminal background check prior to hiring

Desired

• Previous experience with small boat handling
• Prior completion of college-level statistic courses
• Skills in data management and/or use of software for population studies, specifically Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS Pro, Finbase, and/or R
  To apply, please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Vanessa Mintzer at vmintzer@galvbay.org by 5pm CST on Friday, March 7, 2025. Applicants should clearly describe their previous research experience and interest in studying marine mammals. Please contact Dr. Mintzer directly with any inquiries about the position.
  
• The Galveston Bay Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and actively works to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristic.