North Pacific Groundfish Observers

~ A.I.S., Inc. is a nationwide company based in Marion, Massachusetts which provides accurate marine biological data to its customers. This data provides valuable information which is used by scientists and industry members to manage fisheries and marine environments. The founder and president, Arvidas Poshkus, founded this organization in 1988, after having built a career observing aboard foreign fishing vessels for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in the 1970’s. ~

Since its inception, A.I.S. has grown from a small company of less than 10 people in 1990, to an established organization of about 100 employees including management personnel, professional observers, fisheries biologists, marine mammal experts and data specialists. The company has a well earned reputation for high integrity and sound management in the observer field.

A.I.S. has been awarded various, highly competitive NMFS and other governmental and private industry observing contracts throughout its history. Beginning in 2001, NMFS awarded A.I.S. the Closed Area Scallop Observing contract. Subsequent contracts include the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program contract which covered fisheries from North Carolina to Maine.

Recently, A.I.S. was awarded the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (NPGOP) contract and one of the Northeast At-Sea Monitoring contracts. Because of the continuous work with fishing gear research studies, the certification as an Industry Funded Scallop provider, and the privately contracted work with the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, A.I.S. has experienced observers throughout the US and Canada. A.I.S. Observers are deployed along the US East Coast from the Gulf of Maine to North Carolina as well as the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea.

Our experience in the field working with varied regional government agencies and private corporations across the country underscores the company’s ability to provide quality service at remote locations and to adapt to specialized requirements. All A.I.S. Field Managers have the unique qualifications of experience of working in the field in many different capacities as well as professional management.

Position Overview

AIS, Inc. (contractor to NMFS) is currently seeking North Pacific Groundfish Observers. Positions located in ports along the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea.

Responsibilities

• Work at sea collecting and recording fish catch/discard and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) aboard commercial fishing vessels.
• Observers record detailed information on the gear and fishing activity of the vessels.
• Vessels range from 40 feet to 125 feet and trips are 2 to 10 days.
• After attending a 1 to 4 week paid training course observers are deployed from ports throughout the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.

Qualifications

• A BS in Marine Biology or other natural science is required including 30 semester hours of biological course work including at least one course that required extensive use of dichotomous keys and 5 semester hours of mathematics consisting of at least one math course and one statistics course.
• You must be US Citizen.
• Previous observer experience, sea and fish research experience strongly preferred.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Compensation: Starting rates are $15.74 per hour plus health/dental insurance/vision, vacation, sick and holiday benefits. Experienced observers may be paid at higher rates depending on qualifications and experience. Overtime is paid for hours worked in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below to upload your résumé, cover letter, at least 5 professional references (name, email address and phone number), latest NPGOP evaluation (if applicable), and unofficial copies of your college transcripts. All documents must be submitted in order for your application to be considered.

Open until filled, Training is scheduled to start on December 4th, 2017. Additional trainings will be held on December 26th, 2017 and in early February 2018.

Additional questions regarding the position can be directed to Jay Litchfield at 508-990-9054. For more information please visit the AIS, Inc. website.

• VEVRAA Federal Contractor
• Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals

~ Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled ~