Fisheries Observer - Groton, CT
Content + Source + Freshness • 15 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
This role provides part-time hours ideal for individuals seeking flexible work related to marine biology but requires specific certifications.
- Part-time job ideal for marine biology students or early professionals.
- Engagement in critical environmental research projects.
- Requires specific maritime safety certifications.
Pros
- Opportunity to work in marine biology and conservation.
- Flexible part-time hours (2 days a week).
- Involvement in significant environmental monitoring efforts.
Cons
- Requires specialized training and certifications.
- Part-time work may limit earning potential.
- Short-term project duration (only a few months).
Who it's for
Early Career • Fieldwork
Good fit
- Marine biology graduates looking for research experience.
- Candidates wanting a flexible work schedule.
- Individuals passionate about conservation efforts.
Not recommended for
- Those seeking stable full-time employment.
- Candidates without marine biology credentials.
- People not comfortable with fieldwork.
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
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.
Duties/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.
Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated and total compensation will vary depending on candidates’ depth of experience. This is a part–time position.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 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
Travel:
Mileage to and from the project site will be reimbursed at the government mileage rate.
Locations:
- Groton, CT
Contact:
If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please visit our Careers Page to submit the required information:
- Resume
- 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number),
- PSO Training Certificate
- Offshore Safety Training Certificate
All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please reach out to our Talent Team or call 774-770-5833
An Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.
Must be able to work in the U.S. • VEVRAA Federal Contractor • Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals • Equal Opportunity Employer
