Research Program Manager – Marine Mammals + Sea Turtles

Location: Miami, FL, Beaufort, NC, or Pascagoula, MS (Hybrid/Remote Eligible)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Client: NOAA Fisheries (NMFS)
Security Requirement: Public Trust Eligibility Required (US Citizen)

Join the Scientists Behind NOAA Fisheries Research
CASE Consultants International is building a team of talented scientists, engineers, and technical professionals to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Our team works alongside Federal researchers conducting fisheries surveys, marine mammal and sea turtle conservation, habitat mapping, artificial intelligence applications, coral restoration, genomics, and ecosystem science throughout the Gulf of America, Atlantic, and Caribbean.

Position Overview:

CASE Consultants International is seeking an experienced Research Program Manager – Marine Mammals & Sea Turtles to support NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Marine Mammal & Turtle Division (MMTD).

This position plays a pivotal role in coordinating multidisciplinary research programs that advance the conservation and management of marine mammals and sea turtles throughout the Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Caribbean. Working closely with NOAA scientists, Chief Scientists, Principal Investigators, and research partners, you will oversee scientific operations that span project planning, field surveys, data management, logistics, and scientific communications.

If you’re passionate about marine conservation and thrive at the intersection of science, operations, and collaboration, this is an opportunity to help shape research that directly informs national conservation policy.

Key Responsibilities

Research Program Coordination

• Coordinate scientific projects from planning through completion

• Serve as the primary liaison for Chief Scientists during vessel and field operations

• Assist with project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and ship time requests

• Coordinate multidisciplinary research activities across NOAA programs and partner organizations

Scientific Data Management

• Manage complex biological and environmental datasets supporting marine mammal and sea turtle research

• Develop and maintain standardized data management protocols

• Ensure data quality through validation, quality assurance, and metadata development

• Archive scientific information in accordance with NOAA data governance policies and cloud-based repositories

Field & Survey Operations

• Coordinate logistics for vessel, aerial, and field surveys

• Manage scientific equipment inventories, maintenance, storage, and deployment

• Coordinate equipment loans and support field teams during research operations

• Assist with implementation of research protocols and permit compliance

Scientific Communications

• Prepare technical reports, scientific summaries, and peer-reviewed publications

• Develop data summaries and project documentation

• Maintain research websites and communicate project updates through outreach materials and field blogs

• Present scientific findings to technical and non-technical audiences

These responsibilities support NOAA’s marine mammal and sea turtle science programs by integrating field operations, scientific data management, research coordination, and dissemination of scientific information. 

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Marine Science, Marine Biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with relevant professional research experience

Candidates should demonstrate experience in:

• Marine research program coordination

• Scientific data management

• Biological data quality assurance and quality control

• Field survey planning and logistics

• Technical writing and scientific reporting

• Working with multidisciplinary research teams

Experience supporting marine mammal, sea turtle, or other protected species research is highly desirable.  

Desired Skills

• Marine mammal or sea turtle ecology

• Fisheries or protected species research

• NOAA or other Federal scientific programs

• Biological database management

• Cloud-based scientific data repositories

• Metadata standards and scientific data governance

• GIS and spatial data management

• Vessel operations and scientific field logistics

• Scientific permitting and regulatory compliance

• Website content management and science communications

Why Join CASE?

CASE Consultants International is a Small Business Administration (SBA)-certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and HubZone-certified firm based in Asheville, NC. With over 12 years of success, CASE supports federal and state agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and private industry through expert services that advance environmental protection, sustainable development, and ecological resilience.

CASE supports mission-critical NOAA programs nationwide, combining advanced science, field operations, and innovative environmental technologies. Our teams contribute directly to ecosystem monitoring, fisheries sustainability, and climate resilience initiatives across the country.

Our goal is not simply to provide information—but to deliver environmental intelligence that empowers evidence-based decisions and supports long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

At CASE, we hire talented and passionate professionals who are committed to making the planet a safer, healthier, and more hospitable place for all its inhabitants. We create a cultivate, a flexible and collaborative work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives, values creativity, and seeks and delivers work that makes a lasting difference.

Our competitive benefits packages include company-sponsored healthcare (medical, dental, and vision); paid leave; retirement plan; training and professional development; remote and flexible work; performance-based raises and bonuses; and others.

CASE is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and cultivating talented professionals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives and a diverse, inclusive workplace in which our employees thrive. We equitably consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information as per https://www.eeoc.gov/poster.

If you require assistance in completing this application, please contact us at admin@case-ci.com.