Vessel Strike Avoidance Observer - Empire Wind

AIS Inc; Point Pleasant (NJ); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

AIS Inc is recruiting vessel strike avoidance protected species observers (VSA) to deploy on vessels for cable repair work off the coast of New York this summer/fall 2026. VSAs will be stationed offshore in 24-hour operations, with shifts averaging twelve hours per day and deployments lasting 2–6 weeks.

Responsibilities include monitoring for marine mammals, advising crews on regulations, identifying species, documenting behavior, and maintaining field equipment.

Qualifications

• Current BST/GWO/BOSIET safety training.
• CPR/First Aid certification.
• 4-year degree in biological or geophysical sciences.
• NMFS approved PSO certification and PSO course certificate.
• Must be eligible to work in the US with Real ID.
• Must be physically fit for sea duty and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Must not be affiliated with groups impairing objectivity.

Responsibilities

• Monitor for marine mammal detections for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
• Advise vessel crew on regulatory requirements and real-time mitigation actions.
• Identify marine animals using visual methods.
• Document behavior and data.
• Enter data into required sheets accurately.
• Perform QA/QC on collected data.

Skills

Safety training

CPR/First Aid

Sea duty fitness

NMFS PSO certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological or geophysical sciences

Tools

Garmin GPS

Binoculars with reticles

Range finder

Night vision devices

Thermal imaging

Digital camera

Job description

Primary Function:

AIS is recruiting vessel strike avoidance protected species observers (VSA) to deploy on vessels conducting cable repair related tasks off the coast of New York during the summer/fall of 2026. The VSAs will be stationed offshore during 24-hour operations. The VSAO will work in opposite shifts during offshore operations which will be conducted 24/7 and will have an average of twelve hours of work per PSO per day. This position is expected to start in the summer of 2026 with deployments ranging from 2-6 weeks in length.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Ability to vigilantly monitor for visual detections of marine mammals around vessel for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
• Advise vessel crew on the project specific regulatory requirements and real time mitigation actions
• Identify marine animals using the naked eye and visual technology.
• Documenting behavior and other essential data
• Collect and enter data into the required data sheet in an organized manner
• Conduct personal QA/QC checks on data collected
• Attend daily toolbox, HSE and project related meetings as needed
• Operate and maintain field equipment including Garmin GPS, binoculars with reticles, range finder, handheld thermal imaging and night vision devices, and high-resolution digital camera with video capabilities.

Compensation: Candidates will be paid an hourly rate to be negotiated. This is a full-time temporary 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:

• Point Pleasant, NJ

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