Protected Species Observer - Shirley, NY

A.I.S., Inc.; Shirley (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vacation

Sick leave

Holiday benefits

Job summary

A.I.S., Inc. invites qualified Protected Species Observers to join a late-September project in Shirley, NY for pile removal monitoring. The role requires NMFS PSO approval and related certifications, a 4-year science degree, and US work eligibility. Daily field tasks include species identification, data recording, and equipment operation.

Workdays run daylight hours with 8–12 hours per day on site. Eligible for AIS benefits after 30 days, including health and dental insurance and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Must hold NMFS unconditional PSO approval letters.
• Must have STCW BST, GWO, or BOSIET training.
• Must have CPR/First Aid certification.
• Four-year degree in biological or geophysical sciences.
• Must be eligible to work in the US.

Responsibilities

• Identify marine animals with naked eye or visual tech.
• Monitor for up to 10 hours in 24 hours at the observation location.
• Document behavior and other essential data.
• Log data in an organized manner.
• Operate and maintain field equipment (GPS, optics, range finder, camera).
• Attend daily toolbox, HSE and project meetings.

Skills

PSO approvals

Education

Biological/geophysical sciences degree

Tools

Garmin GPS

Binoculars

Range finder

HD camera

Job description

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 Protected Species Observers (PSO) to deploy on a project during pile removal operations in New York. AIS is looking for individuals with NMFS unconditional PSO approval letters to stand watch while pile removal operations are under way to record data on protected species sightings and to implement mitigation measures when necessary. Operations will be conducted during daylight hours only and PSO will have an average of 8-12 hours of work per day. This position is expected to start late September of 2026 for approximately 2 - 3 weeks of work

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Identify marine animals using the naked eye and visual technology.
• Ability to vigilantly monitor for visual detections of marine mammals around observation location for up to 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
• Documenting behavior and other essential data
• Documenting data on logs in an organized manner
• Operate and maintain field equipment including Garmin GPS, binoculars with reticles, range finder, and high-resolution digital camera with video capabilities.
• Conduct personal QA/QC checks on data collected.
• Attend daily toolbox, HSE and project related meetings as needed.

Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated. This is a full-time position and will be eligible for AIS benefits package after 30 days of employment. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have current STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), or GWO or BOSIET training.
• Must have current CPR/First Aid certification.
• 4-year degree with major in biological or geophysical sciences
• 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
• Must not be affiliated with any group that may impair the objectivity or the appearance of objectivity
• Must have proof of eligibility to work within the US.

Locations:

• Shirley, NY

Contact:

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