Fisheries Observer - Groton, CT

AIS Inc•New London, CT

69d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Primary Function: AIS is recruiting a fisheries observer to utilize side scan sonar to detect fish and to operate a fish startle system (training will be provided) and record any fish observed at the surface before, during and after operations deepening vessel berthing areas in Groton, CT. It is anticipated that the fisheries observer will conduct observations and operate the fish startle system for approximately 8 hours per day on average, 2 days per week. The project is expected to begin in November 2025 and last through January 2026. Duties include but are not limited to: identification of fish and protected species; documenting location, operating fish startle system, documenting behavior and other essential data; documenting data on logs in an organized manner and provide daily activity reports. Candidates will be selected based on their past experience identifying fish and protected species.

Requirements

Must have current STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), GWO or BOSIET or equivalent training.
Must have current CPR/First Aid certification.
Must be certified by a physician as fit for sea duty including:
Not be susceptible to chronic motion sickness
Ability to live in confined quarters
Ability to tolerate stress
Ability to lift objects up to 30 pounds
Ability to vigilantly monitor waters surrounding observation platform/vessel for up to 4 hours at a time and not more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
Must have passed an approved PSO course/training and provide certificate
Must be NMFS approved PSO (must provide NMFS approval letter)
Must possess a current real ID approved identification
objectivity
Must have proof of eligibility to work within the US.
College degree (B.S. or higher) in marine biology or related field.
Field experience including:
Field research in identifying Massachusetts marine fish species

Responsibilities

Work from a vessel platform and utilize visual observations and echosounder to determine if schools of fish are present in blasting area prior to blasting activities occurring.
Use fish startle equipment for 15 minutes prior to each blast.
Search for dead or injured fish for 30 minutes after each blast visually at the surface and underwater using fish finding sonar equipment.
Responsible for determining when the conditions are favorable for blasting based on fishery observations conducted in the field.
Act as a marine mammal observer as needed.
Accurately record data on standardized forms associated with daily sighting activities, as well as self audit data prior to submission.
Operate and maintain field equipment including Garmin GPS, binoculars with reticles, range finder, and high resolution digital camera with video capabilities.

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