Job Description

Mapping Technician

@Orchard LLC is seeking multiple Mapping Technicians to support NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration program. The Mapping Technician will support ocean mapping operations associated with NOAA expeditions, including the acquisition, processing, quality control, analysis, and visualization of hydrographic and bathymetric data collected from crewed and uncrewed platforms.

This position is well suited for an ocean mapping professional with hands-on experience operating and processing data from multibeam and other hydrographic sensors and working in expedition environments. The Mapping Technician will work closely with scientists, ROV personnel, navigators, ship personnel, and other technical team members to ensure that mapping data are collected, processed, evaluated, and prepared for scientific use and archival.

The Mapping Technician supports NOAA Ocean Exploration's expedition and mapping activities through the collection, processing, quality assurance, analysis, and production of ocean mapping data and products. The position may support mapping operations aboard NOAA ships and other oceanographic platforms and may participate in shore-based and remote mapping operations.

The role requires practical knowledge of hydrographic surveying and ocean mapping workflows, including multibeam sonar acquisition and processing, navigation, bathymetric data management, quality control, and production of mapping products. The Mapping Technician may also support mapping associated with ROV operations and the integration of mapping data with broader ocean exploration activities.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in expedition environments, troubleshooting technical and data-quality issues, following established mapping procedures, and collaborating with multidisciplinary science and technical teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support ocean mapping operations during NOAA Ocean Exploration expeditions and other assigned field activities.
• Acquire, monitor, process, and quality-control multibeam, single-beam, sub-bottom, and other hydrographic datasets.
• Support bathymetric data acquisition and processing using shipboard and shore-based mapping systems.
• Monitor mapping systems and sensor performance during expedition operations and identify data-quality or operational issues.
• Perform post-acquisition processing, cleaning, validation, and quality assurance of hydrographic datasets.
• Develop and maintain bathymetric maps, seafloor visualizations, charts, and other mapping products for scientific and operational use.
• Actively map, chart, and depict benthic data and data collected from ROV operations.
• Support the integration and interpretation of mapping information collected from ROVs, AUVs, ship-based sonar systems, and other oceanographic platforms.
• Support ROV operations through navigation, mapping, positioning, and coordination of mapping activities with expedition objectives.
• Work with scientists, ROV personnel, ship staff, and other technical team members to identify mapping priorities and ensure data collection supports mission objectives.
• Support telepresence and remote mapping operations when required.
• Conduct data analysis and prepare graphic representations of mapping results for scientists and other team members.
• Prepare, organize, document, and package completed datasets and mapping products for delivery, archival, and future scientific use.
• Support submission of final mapping data and products to appropriate NOAA data repositories and archival systems.
• Troubleshoot mapping equipment, software, data-processing workflows, and operational issues during expeditions.
• Develop, maintain, and improve standard operating procedures, mapping workflows, and technical documentation.
• Train and mentor other personnel on mapping systems, data-processing procedures, and established workflows when assigned.
• Prepare technical summaries, reports, presentations, and other documentation describing mapping activities, findings, and data products.
• Maintain accurate records of mapping activities, data processing, quality-control procedures, and final products.
• Participate in meetings and technical discussions with NOAA personnel, scientists, ship personnel, and other project stakeholders.
• Travel and participate in field and expedition operations as required to support the NOAA Ocean Exploration mission.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Oceanography, Marine Science, Geology, Geophysics, Hydrography, Geographic Information Science, or a related scientific or technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience supporting ocean mapping, hydrographic surveying, bathymetric data collection, or related marine technical operations.
• Experience with multibeam sonar data acquisition and/or processing.
• Experience with hydrographic data quality control and preparation of mapping products.
• Experience with geospatial or hydrographic data-processing software.
• Ability to work effectively in shipboard, field, and expedition environments.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical and data-quality issues in an operational environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, engineers, ship personnel, ROV personnel, and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Ability to travel and participate in oceanographic expeditions and field assignments as required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting NOAA Ocean Exploration or other federal oceanographic programs.
• Experience working aboard NOAA ships or other oceanographic research vessels.
• Experience supporting ROV operations and ROV-based exploration.
• Experience with Kongsberg EM-series multibeam systems or comparable multibeam systems.
• Experience with CARIS HIPS/SIPS, QPS, MB-System, Hypack, Qinsy, or comparable hydrographic processing software.
• Experience with ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, PostGIS, or other GIS platforms.
• Experience with bathymetric visualization and 2D/3D mapping products.
• Experience with navigation systems, positioning systems, sound velocity systems, USBL, ADCPs, or related oceanographic sensors.
• Experience developing or maintaining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and technical workflows.
• Experience training or mentoring mapping personnel.
• Experience with Python, SQL, or other programming/data-processing tools.
• GIS certification, hydrographic certification, or relevant professional training.

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this position depends on the candidate's qualifications, and relevant project management experience.

What We Offer:

Competitive base salary with opportunities for advancement, career growth and professional development, work-life balance, comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), generous PTO, and paid federal holidays.

@Orchard is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or other protected characteristics.

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