Observer Gear Technician

About the role

The Observer Gear Technician supports the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center Observer Program gear team in Seattle. The role involves purchasing, assembling, packing, and issuing sampling and safety gear for field deployments, ensuring equipment is maintained, documented, and ready for roughly 500 deployments each year.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain and repair new and used observer gear, including pressure‑washing, scale disassembly, lubrication, and power‑tool repairs.
• Prepare up to 150 complete gear sets per month following written packing protocols, attach strobes and whistles, test hanging scales, and label equipment.
• Conduct in‑person gear check‑out and check‑in with certified observers, verifying completeness and condition.
• Document all gear assignments, returns, and losses in the Observer Gear Inventory System (OGIS).
• Package and ship gear to field offices in Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, and Anchorage, Alaska.
• Maintain a clean, organized gear room and participate in weekly gear team meetings.

Required profile

• Ability to work under the guidance of the gear program team lead and manager.
• Physical capability to handle gear, work outdoors in cold weather, and safely manage sharp objects.

Required skills

• Pressure‑washing of gear.
• Scale maintenance and calibration.
• Operation of hand and power tools for repairs.
• Use of the OGIS inventory system for tracking gear.