Marine Biologist – Alaska

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Website Talent Ali

Career Opportunity: Marine Biologist (Fisheries Observer)

Clean Professional Job Summary

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is recruiting dedicated Marine Biologists to serve as Fisheries Observers for the North Pacific Observer Program in Anchorage and various Alaskan ports. This role is a critical scientific position supporting the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC). Biologists deploy aboard commercial fishing vessels (40ft to 125ft) to collect quantitative biological data, document bycatch, and monitor interactions with protected species like marine mammals and seabirds. This position requires a 90-day field commitment, high physical resilience in rough seas, and a rigorous scientific background to ensure the sustainability of Alaska’s groundfish and halibut fisheries.

Key Responsibilities

  • Biological Sampling: Set up deck stations to collect specimens, measure catch composition, and gather sex/length/weight data on target and non-target species.

  • Regulatory Monitoring: Document vessel fishing activities and gear-selectivity information to ensure compliance with federal environmental regulations.

  • Environmental Documentation: Record detailed interactions with marine mammals, seabirds, and crabs using standardized NMFS protocols.

  • Data Integrity: Perform accurate data entry and maintain meticulous logs of gear types (trawl, hook and line, pot) and fishing effort.

  • Logistics & Safety: Participate in a mandatory three-week paid training in Seattle (covering safety, fish ID, and sampling) before deploying to remote Alaskan ports.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Educational Foundation: Bachelor’s degree in a natural science with at least 30 semester hours in biological sciences.

  • Academic Specifics: Completion of at least one course requiring extensive use of dichotomous keys and 5 semester hours in math (including Statistics).

  • Physical Fitness: Must pass a physician’s certification for heavy lifting and the ability to work long, irregular hours in high-sea states.

  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.

  • Personal Attributes: High level of independence, excellent time-management, and the mental preparation for 90-day deployments away from home.

About the Company

A.I.S., Inc. is a premier national provider of marine science services, specializing in fisheries monitoring and environmental compliance. AIS supports federal and state agencies by providing the “boots on the ground” (or deck) necessary to manage marine resources. In the Alaskan market, AIS is a key partner to the Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division, providing the data required to uphold the ten national standards of sustainability mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Market & Industry Context

The North Pacific fishery is one of the most productive and strictly managed in the world. Marine Biologists in this region are the primary source of “in-season” data, which prevents overfishing by allowing regulators to close fisheries the moment quotas are met.

[Table: Workforce Demographics in Marine & Conservation Sciences] | Demographic Group | Industry Representation (%) | | :— | :— | | White | 71.2% | | Hispanic or Latino | 11.8% | | Asian | 8.4% | | Black or African American | 4.1% | | American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.8% |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Outlook – Life Scientists)

While the field has historically lacked diversity, there is a significant movement within the AFSC and AIS to recruit a workforce that reflects the pluralism of the U.S. coastline. In Alaska specifically, the industry relies heavily on a mix of local residents and seasonal scientists traveling via Seattle.

Career Growth & Progression Path

  • Field Supervision: Experienced observers can advance into roles overseeing new biologists at remote ports.

  • Project Management: Transition into land-based logistics, data debriefing, or administrative oversight for AIS national programs.

  • Agency Placement: The “Observer” credential is highly respected by the NOAA/NMFS; many observers leverage this field experience to secure permanent federal scientist roles.

  • Cross-Training: Opportunities to work in other AIS programs along the East Coast or Gulf of Mexico, diversifying your resume across different oceanic ecosystems.

Interview Preparation Insights

  • The Dichotomous Key: Be prepared to discuss specific laboratory or field experiences where you used keys for identification. This is a non-negotiable technical requirement.

  • Resilience Scenarios: Expect questions about how you handle isolation and “small-team” dynamics. You will be the only scientist on a vessel with a commercial crew; how do you maintain professional boundaries and data integrity?

  • Statistical Literacy: Be ready to explain your comfort level with sampling theory and how you ensure your samples are representative of the total catch.

  • Safety Awareness: Familiarize yourself with “Cold Water Safety” and the “Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)” concepts, as safety is a major component of the Seattle training.

Salary & Compensation Insight

  • Monthly Compensation: $5,100 – $8,100 (Total range depends on hourly rate, fishing effort, and availability).

  • Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, and paid holiday/sick leave.

  • Incentives: Performance awards, data quality bonuses, and fitness center reimbursements.

  • Paid Training: The initial three-week training in Seattle is fully compensated.

Work Environment & Location Insights

The “office” for this role is a commercial fishing vessel in the Bering Sea or Gulf of Alaska. The environment is characterized by “rough seas” and “odd hours.” Following a 90-day deployment, biologists fly to Seattle for a professional debriefing before taking up to 45 days of home leave. This “90-on / 45-off” cycle provides a unique lifestyle for those who enjoy travel and intensive field work.

Short Compliance & Equal Opportunity Note

A.I.S., Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit and compensate without regard to race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, we actively request priority referrals for protected veterans.

Category Details & Specifications
Employer A.I.S., Inc. (AIS)
Program North Pacific Observer Program (NMFS / AFSC)
Location Alaska (Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands)
Deployment 90 days at sea/port, followed by up to 45 days at home
Vessel Scale Commercial fishing vessels ranging from 40 ft. to 125 ft.

Compensation & Financial Benefits

Component Details
Total Monthly Pay $5,100 – $8,100 (Based on hourly rate and fishing effort)
Training Pay Paid 3-week intensive training in Seattle, WA
Incentives Data quality/performance bonuses, service awards, referral bonuses
Perks Fitness center reimbursement
Standard Benefits Health, vision, dental, vacation, sick, and holiday pay

Key Responsibilities & Data Collection

Focus Area Actionable Tasks
Biological Sampling Collect catch/bycatch data; utilize dichotomous keys for species ID.
Interactions Document and record interactions with marine mammals and seabirds.
Gear Monitoring Log details on benthic/pelagic trawls, hook and line, and pot gear.
Regulatory Ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act standards.
Operations Set up deck stations for sampling in varied weather and rough seas.

Minimum Qualifications & Academic Requirements

  • Degree: Bachelor’s Degree in a natural science (e.g., Biology, Fisheries, Ecology).

  • Credit Hours: Minimum of 30 semester hours in biological sciences.

  • Coursework: Must include at least one course in Statistics and one course using dichotomous keys.

  • Math: Minimum of 5 semester hours in math-related subjects.

  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.

  • Medical: Must be certified physically fit by a licensed physician.

Training & Deployment Logistics

  • Pre-Deployment: 3-week in-person training in Seattle, WA (typically June–July).

  • Work Cycle: 90 days in Alaska, followed by a debriefing in Seattle before returning home.

  • Physical Demand: High; requires heavy lifting, odd hours, and mental resilience for long-term remote work.

  • Travel: AIS covers travel from Seattle to Alaska ports; biologists may move between ports as seasons change.

Career Advancement Opportunities

The Fisheries Observer role is a recognized “proving ground” for field biologists. AIS provides paths into:

  • Project Management

  • Field Supervision

  • Cross-training for other national marine science programs.

How to Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter, 5 professional references, and unofficial transcripts to aisobservers.com/careers.

To apply for this job please visit aisobservers.com.