Lead Protected Species Observer - Sunrise Wind

A.I.S. Inc.

A.I.S. Inc.

Rhode Island, USA
Posted on May 6, 2025

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 Lead Protected Species Observers to observe the monitoring and exclusion zones around pile driving operations and implement protective measures when necessary. The PSOs will work in a team during offshore pile driving operations which will occur during daylight hours and PSO will average 8-12 hours of work per day. This position is expected to deploy in September 2025 for an estimated 2-3 weeks of work. Duties include but are not limited to: identification of protected species; documenting location, documenting behavior and other essential data; documenting data on logs in an organized manner. Candidates will be selected based on their past experience as a Lead PSO and in identifying protected species.

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 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
  • Confirm all detections submitted by PSO and acoustic monitoring team.
  • Communicate with client, project personnel, and PSO team regarding PSO related issues and protected species detections and request operational shutdown as required by permit stipulations.
  • Advise vessel crew on the project specific regulatory requirements and real time mitigation actions
  • Documenting behavior and other essential data
  • Collect and enter data into the required data forms in an organized manner
  • Conduct QA/QC checks on all data collected by PSO teams.
  • Operate and maintain field equipment including mounted thermal cameras, Garmin GPS, binoculars with reticles, range finder, and high-resolution digital camera with video capabilities.
  • 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. Once you complete 30 days of work you will be eligible for the AIS benefits package. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits. Meals and lodging provided on vessel.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Must have current STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), GWO, BOSIET or equivalent training.
  • Must have current CPR/First Aid certification.
  • 4-year degree with major in biological sciences
  • Must be certified by a physician as fit for sea duty via OGUK/OEUK, Norwegian physical, CG-719K or equivalent 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 have at least 90 days at-sea experience monitoring for marine mammals, including baleen whales, and must have worked as a PSO in the last 18 months
  • Must be approved as a Lead PSO for the Sunrise Wind project via NMFS PSO approval team
  • 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:

  • Deploying out of one of the following locations.
    • Massachusetts
    • New York
    • New Jersey

Contact:

If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please click the following link http://aisobservers.com/careers/ to submit the required information:

  1. Resume
  2. Cover letter detailing relevant experience.
  3. 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number),
  4. PSO Training Certificate
  5. Offshore Safety Training Certificate

All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please reach out to our talent acquisition team at talentacquisitionteam@aisobservers.com or 508-990-9054.

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