Marine Biologist; ASM - Gloucester, Ma

Interested in Fishery Sustainability, Management and Hands on Marine Biology Work? Become a Marine Biologist!

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities that require certification of compliance with environmental regulations and collecting data for use by federal, state, municipal, and other government agencies along the U.S. coastline. AIS is looking for Marine Biologists (At‑Sea Monitors) to work at sea collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFCS) aboard commercial fishing vessels.

The primary goals of Northeast federal fishery observation programs are to provide quantitative biological, vessel, and gear‑selectivity information for various New England and Mid‑Atlantic fisheries. The At‑Sea Monitor program focuses specifically on the groundfish industry, a grouping of fish that includes many commonly consumed fish such as cod, haddock and various flounder species. Each fishery observer or monitor operates on commercial fishing vessels operating in ports throughout New England and the Mid‑Atlantic.

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, marine biologists 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!

Learn More about Becoming a Fisheries Observer.

At‑Sea Monitors record detailed information on the gear and fishing activity of the vessels. Monitors work on deck on vessels ranging from 20 to 100 feet on trips roughly ranging from 1 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, in‑person training in Falmouth, MA, monitors are deployed from ports throughout New England and Mid‑Atlantic states.

Gear types assessed include trawl, gillnet, longline, and handline.

Accommodations and meal reimbursement during the in‑person training session are provided. Training includes instructions on sampling protocols, gear, fisheries, fish identification, marine mammal and 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 field work in other programs.

Monitors’ starting pay is $19.00/hour. Dependent on enrollment in our H&W benefit, biologists may also be eligible for an additional $4.57/hour for the first 40 hours worked on each calendar week for a total of $23.57/hour. This is a full‑time position with benefits. Annually, monitors earn between $35K - $55K a year, dependent on their availability to deploy offshore and their personal sea day accomplishments.

Monitors will be paid a minimum of 12 hours for each calendar day offshore and are also eligible for additional compensable activities while on land.

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 at an hourly rate along with compensation for miles accrued on a personal vehicle as well as per diem at the specified Government rate.

• High school diploma is required.
• Experience with…