Catch Shares Fisheries Observer

~ Alaskan Observers, Inc. (AOI) is a Seattle based corporation which was founded in 1988 to meet the ever increasing need for trained, professional observers in the domestic fishing industry. AOI has been a contractor in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Shellfish Observer Program since that program’s inception in the September of 1988. With the advent of National Marine Fisheries Service Groundfish Observer Program in December of 1989, AOI also began to supply observers to the groundfish industry. ~

Our observers, and the quality of their work, finally determine the success of our company, and we treat them accordingly. We offer our employees a high level of technical and logistical support before, during, and after a voyage, leaving our clients in the fishing industry free to concentrate on the business of fishing.

Position Overview

Are you looking for a challenging at-sea biology position? Do you want to play a critical roll in the conservation and management of fisheries resources? Alaskan Observers, Inc. is recruiting Biologists to begin training July 31, 2017
for Observer positions in Eureka CA, Coos Bay OR, and Newport OR.

Responsibilities

Description of Work:

• Observers sample on commercial trawl vessels that range in size from 45 - 70 feet. Trips are generally be 3-5 days in length.
• Observers can expect to sample at sea 12-18 days per month, gathering fishing effort information, sampling for bycatch composition, and collecting biological data.
• When not at sea, Observers work on shoreside tasks that include making dock rounds, entering and editing data, debriefing, performing safety reviews, and contacting vessels to be observed. 
• This is not a 9-5 office job, Observers live on-call, ready to respond to vessels. Living and working closely with commercial fishermen requires diplomacy.
• Following training in Newport, OR, observers will be required to relocate to a port on the West Coast. 

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree with a major in a natural science, such as fisheries or wildlife biology, marine biology, or a related field of biology (including general biology). 
• A minimum of 30 credit hours in applicable biological sciences. 
• At least one undergraduate course each in math and statistics. 
• Coursework that emphasized the use of dichotomous (taxonomic) keys. 

Note: Prior sea-time is preferred but not required.

Compensation

• Starting average pay is $3750.00/month, and Observers receive a 6% pay increase after 4 months on the job.
• Observers will receive up to $350.00 in relocation expenses, and will be reimbursed for work related travel outside of home port.

To Apply

• For application information, click below: "Apply on Company Website."
• And for more info, call or email Rachel Moore.

~ It is the policy of Alaskan Observers, Inc. to select the best individuals available for each job opening without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or any other reason prohibited by regulations or guidelines relating to discrimination in employment. ~