Program Manager - Gear Monitoring Team

A.I.S., Inc.; Pascagoula (MS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Paid time off

Holiday benefits

Job summary

A.I.S., Inc. seeks a Program Manager for the Gear Monitoring Team to oversee program activities, coordinate training, engage stakeholders, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage data. The role supports offshore and inland operations along the US coastline, with emphasis on gear research, training, and surfacing regulatory insights.

Travel is 40-50% regionally across Gulf of Mexico states. The position is full-time, contingent on funding, with AIS benefits including health and dental insurance,

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial fishing operations or related fisheries field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing fisheries-related projects or programs.
• Proficiency with word processing and database management tools.
• Demonstrated experience writing technical reports and delivering oral presentations.
• Valid driver's license.
• Strong leadership and program management capability in field-based environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead construction, maintenance, and deployment of selective fishing gear for research, training, and compliance activities.
• Provide technical oversight for fisheries research projects evaluating gear for bycatch reduction.
• Operate and maintain Mississippi Laboratory research vessels and equipment.
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct outreach and training for commercial fishers across Gulf of Mexico states.
• Coordinate training for federal and state marine law enforcement on inspection of gear.
• Oversee inspections of fishing gear and document regulatory compliance.
• Manage data from inspections and produce monthly and biannual reports.
• Develop and deliver technical presentations and training materials.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data management

Regulatory compliance

Team coordination

Field operations

Tools

Word processing

Database management

Job description

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulation ns as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline. AIS is seeking a Program Manager for the Gear Monitoring Team to provide program-level oversight of gear monitoring operations, including coordination of training, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance verification, and data management.

Primary Function

Serve as Program Manager for the Gear Monitoring Team, responsible for planning, coordination, execution, and reporting of all program activities. The role integrates technical expertise in fishing gear with leadership responsibility for planning, executing, and reporting Gear Monitoring Team activities. This position is contingent upon contract award and available funding.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead construction, maintenance, and deployment of selective fishing gear (TEDs and BRDs) for research, training, and compliance activities
• Provide technical expertise and oversight for fisheries research projects evaluating modified gear for bycatch reduction
• Operate and maintain Mississippi Laboratory research vessels (Class A, I, II), including trailering and transport of vessels and equipment
• Obtain and maintain required certifications, including USCG licenses and NOAA Small Boat Program compliance
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct outreach and training sessions for commercial fishers across Gulf of Mexico states
• Engage with fishing associations, industry stakeholders, and state agencies to support effective training delivery and regulatory compliance
• Coordinate and conduct training for federal and state marine law enforcement personnel on proper inspection of federally regulated fishing gear
• Oversee and participate in at-sea and dockside inspections of fishing gear, documenting compliance with federal regulations
• Manage data collected during compliance inspections and generate comprehensive monthly and biannual reports
• Develop and deliver technical presentations, training materials, and outreach content for diverse audiences
• Provide hands-on demonstrations of gear construction and proper use to commercial fishers and enforcement personnel
• Represent the program at industry and government meetings, presenting findings on TED technology, compliance trends, and outreach outcomes
• Coordinate and support emergency response efforts (e.g., oil spills) requiring rapid deployment for sea turtle protection and targeted outreach
• Support general unit operations including equipment maintenance, warehouse oversight, and operational readiness

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 full-time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in commercial fishing operations, net shop work, or related fisheries field
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing fisheries-related projects or programs
• Demonstrated experience in net construction and repair
• Experience operating and maintaining small vessels and associated marine equipment
• Proficiency with word processing and database management tools
• Demonstrated experience writing technical reports and delivering oral presentations
• Valid driver's license
• Physical ability to safely perform vessel-based operations
• Strong leadership and program management capability in field-based environments
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and communication skills across industry and regulatory audiences
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent operational priorities and field deployments
• Strong technical understanding of fishing gear systems and regulatory frameworks

Ability to obtain within one year

• U.S. Coast Guard Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels License (6-Pack)
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Ability to obtain within two years

• U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master License

Ability to obtain and maintain

• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification
• CPR and Basic First Aid certification
• Ability to meet NOAA Small Boat Program training and certification requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of selective fishing gear technologies and bycatch reduction strategies
• Experience conducting public outreach and large-scale training programs
• Ability to read, write, or speak Vietnamese

Travel

• Travel Estimated: 40-50% (Frequent regional travel across Gulf of Mexico states, including field deployments, outreach events, and emergency response support).

Location

• 3209 Frederic St, Pascagoula, MS, 39567 - Southeast Fisheries Science Center's Pascagoula Laboratory

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