Marine Biologist - Barnegat Light, NJ

Join to apply for the Marine Biologist - Barnegat Light, NJ role at A.I.S. Inc.

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm that supports maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations and provides data to federal, state, municipal, and other government agencies along the U.S. coastline. AIS is recruiting Fisheries Observers—Marine Biologists—to work aboard commercial fishing vessels in the New England and Mid‑Atlantic region, collecting and recording data and biological samples for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).

• Record detailed information on gear and fishing activity of commercial vessels ranging from 20′ to 100′.
• Collect data on fish catch and discard, incidental takes such as marine mammals, seabirds, and marine turtles.
• Attend a three‑week paid in‑person training (03/15/2026 – 04/03/2026 in Falmouth, MA) covering sampling protocols, gear, fisheries, fish identification, marine mammal/sea turtle identification, and safety.
• Travel to ports throughout New England and the Mid‑Atlantic to deploy on vessels, working 7–14 day trips in rough seas.
• Support the government’s fishery observation program by providing quantitative biological, vessel, and gear‑selectivity information.
• Perform heavy lifting, work odd hours, and manage long days at sea while maintaining safety and quality standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology or Biology from an accredited institution with at least 30 credits of biology coursework and 6 credits of marine science.
• One undergraduate course in math or statistics.
• Experience with data entry on computers.
• U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• Physical ability, as determined by a licensed physician, to perform biologist duties.
• Own transportation.
• Commitment to a minimum of one year in the program.

• At‑sea experience.
• Coursework in dichotomous keys.

Applicants must be currently living or willing to live within 50 miles of Barnegat Light, NJ.

• Starting pay of $20.25 per hour, plus an optional $4.57/hour supplement for the first 40 hours each week (total $24.82) for eligible biologists.
• Full‑time position with benefits; annual earnings range from $35K–$55K based on offshore deployment and sea day accomplishments.
• Medical, dental insurance, vacation, sick, and holiday benefits.
• Additional compensation includes data quality bonus, service awards, fitness center reimbursement, and candidate referral bonus.
• Travel reimbursement at an hourly rate, mileage allowance for personal vehicles, and per diem at the specified Government rate.

• Submit a resume, cover letter detailing at‑sea and fish experience, at least five professional references (name, email, phone), and unofficial copies of college transcripts.
• All documents must be submitted for consideration.
• Questions can be directed to the Talent Team or call 774‑770‑5833.

It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate employees and provide all other conditions of employment 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.