Claire Gonzales: NOAA Fisheries OST Onboarding Guide

Welcome Aboard, Claire Gonzales!

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Claire Gonzales to the NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology (OST)! This document serves as your personalized guide to navigating your onboarding and offboarding journey with us. Think of it as your friendly roadmap, designed to make your transition as smooth and informative as possible. Our goal is to ensure you have all the resources and information you need right from the get-go, and that your time with us is both productive and rewarding. The README at https://github.com/nmfs-ost/on-off-boarding provides a comprehensive overview of the processes we follow, and we encourage you to explore it. However, if you prefer a more traditional approach, please don't hesitate to reach out to your Supervisor or Project Lead via email to track your progress. We're here to support you every step of the way!

Your Role and Background

Claire Gonzales, you are joining us as a 2025 Knauss Fellow, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) within the OST. Your impressive background includes a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where your research in The Froehlich Lab delved into the socio-economic implications of co-locating food and energy systems in the ocean. Your dissertation wasn't just theoretical; it involved a diverse set of methodologies, from sophisticated spatial modeling to engaging semi-structured interviews with Santa Barbara’s commercial fishing community. This hands-on experience highlights your deep understanding of the complexities involved in marine resource management. Your passion for synergistic ocean management solutions that benefit the environment, economy, and communities is truly inspiring. In your role as a Knauss Fellow, you'll be applying your extensive skills and experience directly to the Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP). This will be instrumental in supporting accurate and detailed marine resource decision-making, a critical component of our work at NOAA Fisheries. We are incredibly excited to see how your expertise will contribute to our mission.

Important Dates and Contact Information

Your desired onboarding date is February 1, 2025. We are looking forward to having you officially start on this date. While a desired offboarding date was not specified, we will work with you to establish a timeline that aligns with your fellowship and program requirements as we move forward. Your professional email contact is claire.gonzales@noaa.gov, and your GitHub username is ClaireGonzales-NOAA. Please ensure you are comfortable with these details. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with how to use this GitHub issue to track your progress. You can find helpful tips within this document, such as marking checklist items as complete and editing the issue to add updates. Don't hesitate to use the comment section if any questions or issues arise. We value open communication and are here to assist you.

Getting Started: Your Onboarding Checklist

To help you settle in and become acquainted with the NOAA Fisheries OST and the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), we've prepared a comprehensive onboarding checklist. This checklist is designed to cover all essential aspects, from setting up your workspace and gaining access to necessary systems to understanding our team's workflows and ongoing projects. As you progress through your onboarding, please refer to this issue and mark each item as complete. We'll be adding specific tasks related to your Knauss Fellowship and your work with the Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP) shortly. This might include introductions to key team members, training sessions on relevant software and databases, and an overview of the NSAP's strategic goals. Your Ph.D. research background in marine science, particularly your work on socio-economic implications and spatial modeling, will be invaluable as you engage with DisMAP's data and analytical capabilities. We believe in a structured yet flexible approach to onboarding, ensuring you feel supported and empowered from day one. If any part of this process seems unclear, or if you require additional resources, please use the comment section of this issue to reach out. We are committed to making your integration into our team as seamless as possible, allowing you to focus on making meaningful contributions.

Your Work with the Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP)

As a Knauss Fellow supporting the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), your contributions will be deeply intertwined with the Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP). This powerful tool is central to our efforts in understanding and managing marine resources, providing critical data and analytical capabilities for informed decision-making. Your expertise, honed during your Ph.D. research at UC Santa Barbara, particularly in spatial modeling and understanding the socio-economic implications of ocean-based activities, will be directly applicable here. You will be instrumental in leveraging DisMAP to analyze complex datasets, visualize distribution patterns, and contribute to assessments that are both scientifically robust and socially relevant. We anticipate you will be involved in tasks such as refining data inputs, developing new analytical approaches, and potentially contributing to the interpretation of results for policy and management advice. Your ability to bridge the gap between ecological data and community impacts, as demonstrated by your interviews with the commercial fishing community, will be a significant asset. We are eager to see you apply your passion for synergistic ocean management solutions within the DisMAP framework, helping us to better understand the intricate relationships between marine ecosystems, economies, and the communities that depend on them. This is a unique opportunity to apply advanced research skills to real-world policy challenges, and we are excited to support your growth in this area.

Professional Development and Community Engagement

At NOAA Fisheries OST, we are committed to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for all our collaborators, including Knauss Fellows like yourself. Your professional development is a priority, and we encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities available during your fellowship. This includes attending relevant workshops, seminars, and training sessions offered both within NOAA and through external institutions. We believe in the power of collaboration and community. Your background in marine science and your research on socio-economic implications will undoubtedly enrich our internal discussions and working groups. We encourage you to actively participate in team meetings, contribute your unique insights, and build connections with colleagues across the OST and beyond. Your passion for synergistic ocean management solutions aligns perfectly with the interdisciplinary nature of our work. Outside of your core responsibilities, we also value work-life balance. We've heard you enjoy cooking, tending to your plant collection, and trail running – we hope you find opportunities to pursue these passions during your time here. Building a strong professional network and engaging with the broader scientific community are key aspects of a successful fellowship. Please feel free to ask your Supervisor or Project Lead about opportunities to present your work, attend scientific conferences, or engage with relevant stakeholder groups. We are here to help you make the most of your Knauss Fellowship experience.

Offboarding Process Overview

While your onboarding is our immediate focus, it's also beneficial to understand the offboarding process at NOAA Fisheries OST. This process ensures a smooth and organized transition when your fellowship or term with us concludes. Typically, offboarding involves a series of steps to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, return of property, and closure of any outstanding administrative tasks. Your Supervisor or Project Lead will guide you through this process as your desired offboarding date approaches. This will include ensuring all project-related documentation is complete and accessible, any necessary system access is revoked appropriately, and any equipment issued to you is returned. We aim to make this process as straightforward as possible, allowing you to depart with a sense of accomplishment and preparedness for your next endeavors. We value the contributions you will make during your time with us, and we want to ensure your departure is as well-managed as your arrival. Should you have any questions about the offboarding procedures at any point, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your Supervisor or Project Lead. We are committed to transparency and ensuring all collaborators have a clear understanding of their responsibilities throughout their tenure with us.

Conclusion

Claire, we are incredibly excited to have you join the NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology. Your background as a Knauss Fellow, your expertise in marine science, and your passion for synergistic ocean management solutions will be invaluable to the National Stock Assessment Program and your work with the Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal (DisMAP). We are committed to providing you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can thrive professionally and contribute meaningfully to our mission. Please utilize this issue as a central point for tracking your onboarding progress, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions. We look forward to a productive and rewarding fellowship!

For more information on NOAA Fisheries and its mission, please visit the official NOAA Fisheries website. To learn more about the Knauss Fellowship program, a fantastic opportunity for aspiring marine policy professionals, you can explore the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship page.