Are you looking for a financially rewarding career that offers independence, adventure and practical experience in field biology? Do you want to play a critical role in the conservation and management of fisheries resources? If so, then Alaskan Observers Inc. (AOI) has the perfect job for you!

As an at-sea biologist working aboard U.S.-flagged commercial fishing vessels based out of Dutch Harbor AK, you will gather fishing effort and location information, sampling for bycatch composition, and collecting biological data from both bycatch and target species. Observers go into the field for 70-90 day deployments, and are guaranteed subsequent deployment opportunities and salary advances.

Fisheries Observing is a challenging and unique position. This is not a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. job–rather, twelve to fourteen hour days are the rule. Gathering, sorting, and weighing a sample at sea is a physically demanding job, and recording the data gathered requires a biologist’s attention to detail. The work is further complicated by the fact that observers and fisherman have different objectives–diplomatic efforts on the observer’s part, aimed at securing a mutually agreeable working environment, are often part of the job.

Positions begin with a 3-week paid training in Seattle starting 6/3/19 and 7/8/19.

Salary begins at $4017/month during deployments, including room & board and some travel.

Qualifications:

•Completed Bachelor’s degree with a major in a natural science such as Fisheries & Wildlife, Biology, Marine Science, Marine Biology, Ecology, etc.
•A minimum of 30 credit hours in applicable biological sciences.
•At least one course in both math and statistics.
•Coursework that emphasized the use of dichotomous (taxonomic) keys.
•Prior sea time preferred but not required