A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline.

AIS is developing a proposal in response to an anticipated government solicitation to provide Fishery Observer Support Services for the Pacific Islands Regional Office in Hawaii. To be prepared should our proposal be selected we are interested in identifying current Marine Biologists (Fishery Observer) who would like to continue to work at sea collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFCS) aboard commercial fishing vessels.

The primary goals of Pacific Island Federal fishery observation programs are to provide quantitative biological, vessel, and gear-selectivity information for the various Pacific Island fisheries. Each marine biologist operates on commercial fishing vessels operating in ports throughout Hawaii and American Samoa. If you ever wanted to make a difference, this is how.

Commercial fishing dates back hundreds of years. Today commercial fishing continues to be possible due to cooperation between fishermen and fisheries management scientists like yourself. In order to facilitate that cooperation, fisheries observers collect data pertaining to fishing programs, economics, catch data, and fishing efficiency. Collected data is used to document stock information which is then used to protect the environment and preserve future generations of fish/fishermen. Commit to the journey!

Click to Learn More about Becoming a Fisheries Observer

Marine Biologists record detailed information on the gear and fishing activity of the vessels. Observers work on deck on vessels ranging from 40’ to 100’ on trips roughly ranging from 22 to 27 days collecting data on fish catch and discard and incidental takes such as marine mammals, seabirds and marine turtles. After attending a 3-week paid training that may involve both remote and in-person sessions in Honolulu, HI biologists are deployed from ports throughout Hawaii and American Samoa.

Accommodations and meal reimbursement during in person session of training are provided. Training includes instructions on sampling protocols, gear, fisheries, fish identification, marine mammal/sea turtle identification, and safety.

This is a challenging job and candidates must be mentally prepared to be away from home for multiple days, and must be physically able to handle heavy lifting, working odd hours, and long days in rough seas. Observing provides an excellent career in marine biology, as observers and monitors are widely recognized as being excellent field biologists. A broad range of advancement opportunities are available to those who demonstrate appropriate capabilities. Those opportunities include, but are not limited to, project management, field supervisors, and fieldwork in other programs.

Compensation: Biologists will be paid an hourly rate and total compensation will vary depending on employee’s availability and fishing effort AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Potential additional compensation consists of Data quality bonuses, Service awards, Fitness center reimbursement, Candidate Referral bonus

Travel is reimbursed in accordance with federal travel guidelines at an hourly rate along with compensation for miles accrued on a personal vehicle as well as per diem at the specified Government rate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current NMFS Fishery Observer Certification
• Possess a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the biological sciences from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience with data entry on computers.
• Must be U.S. citizens, or a non-citizen who has legally resided in the United States or its territories continuously for at least the past two (2) years and has legal visa status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
• Candidates must be physically able, as determined by a licensed physician’s certification to perform observer duties.
• Be able to swim

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess a current CPR and First Aid Certification
• Ocean experience aboard small boats.
• Scientific data collection and data entry experience in and beyond college.
• Previous experience as marine mammal or fisheries observers.
• Ability to speak Vietnamese or Korean.
• Familiarity and comfort with the traditional culture and foods of Asia (Korean & Vietnamese) fishers.

Locations:

• Applicants must be currently living, or be willing to live, near Honolulu, HI

Contact:

If you would like to apply for one of these exciting new openings, please click the following link http://aisobservers.com/careers/ to submit the following information.

• Resume
• Cover Letter detailing sea and fish experience.
• At least 3 to 5 professional references (name, email address and phone number)
• Unofficial copies of your college (or high school if applicable) transcripts.

All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please feel free to call William Byrd at williamb@aisobservers.com or 774-762-7019.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Must be able to work in the U.S. • VEVRAA Federal Contractor • Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals • Equal Opportunity Employer