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 recruiting Marine Biologists to work at sea collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) aboard commercial fishing vessels.
The primary goals of the governments fishery observation programs are to provide quantitative biological, vessel, and gear-selectivity information for the New England and Mid-Atlantic fishery. Each biologist operates on commercial fishing vessels operating in ports throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
Biologists record detailed information on the gear and fishing activity of the vessels. Biologists work on deck on vessels ranging from 20’ to 100’ on trips roughly ranging from 7 to 14 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 be administered in person in Falmouth, MA biologists are deployed from ports throughout New England and Mid-Atlantic states. Gear types assessed include, but limited to, trawl, and gillnet.
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 biologists 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 to be negotiated and total compensation will vary depending on employee’s availability and fishing effort. These are full–time positions based on an average of 36 sea days per quarter with an income potential of $45K to $65K+. Biologists will be paid a minimum of 12 hours of work pay for each day at sea and may be eligible for additional paid time while on land.
AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits. Potential additional compensation consists of, Data quality bonus, Service awards, Fitness center reimbursement, Candidate Referral bonus
Travel is reimbursed 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:
- A bachelor's degree in Marine Biology or Biology from an accredited college or university with 30 credits of biology coursework, 6 credits of marine science
- At least one undergraduate course in math or statistics.
- All relevant course work must have been performed at a level acceptable for credit at the candidate’s academic institution.
- Experience with data entry on computers.
- Candidates must be US citizens, or be legally authorized to work in the US.
- Candidates must be physically able, as determined by a licensed physician’s certification to perform biologist duties.
- Your own transportation is required
- Candidates are expected to commit to the program for at least one year.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At-sea experience
- Coursework in Dichotomous Keys
Locations:
Applicants must be currently living, or be willing to live, in Hampton Bays, NY
