Marine Fisheries Observers

Responsibilities: Work at sea collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) aboard commercial fishing vessels. Observers work on deck on vessels ranging from 40’ to 100’ on trips ranging from 1 to 14 days collecting data on fish catch and discard. Positions are located in ports from Maine to North Carolina. This is a challenging job and candidates must be physically able to handle heavy lifting, working odd hours and long days in rough seas. Observing provides an excellent start to a career in marine biology, as observers are widely recognized as being excellent field biologists.

Qualifications: A BS in Marine Biology or Associate Degree in fisheries related field is required. Candidates are expected to commit to the program for at least a year. At-sea experience is desirable.

Other requirements:
- Must have your own transportation.
- US or Canadian Citizenship or a non-citizen who has legally resided in US for the past 2 years.
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- Passport or evidence of passport application.

Compensation: These are full time positions based on an average of 12 sea days a month. Sea day rates based on experience and qualifications. Starting rates are $200/sea day and $12/land hour. Assuming average sea days and land hours per month, the annual income is around $33,000. Health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Training: Three-week, paid training course in Woods Hole, MA to start first Quarter, 2008. Accommodations and meals provided. Training includes instructions on sampling protocols, gear, fisheries, fish identification, marine mammal/sea turtle identification and safety.

Apply: Email resume, references, list of biology courses and cover letter detailing sea and fish experience to: 11269@aisobservers.hrmdirect.com . Please attach no more than 2 documents to email. Suggest you include cover letter in email body and include references in resume document.

See the following web sites for more information:
AIS, Inc. www.aisobservers.com.
NMFS Fisheries Sampling Branch http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/femad/fsb/.

A.I.S, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.