Protected Species Observer - Philadelphia, PA

A.I.S. Inc.

A.I.S. Inc.

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Posted on Jun 4, 2026

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 a protected species observers (PSO) to deploy on a hopper dredge conducting channel maintenance. AIS is looking for individuals with NMFS unconditional PSO approval letters for hopper dredging to stand watch during while the vessel is conducting operations to record data on protected species sightings and implement mitigation measures when necessary. The PSO will be stationed on the vessel during both daylight and nighttime operations which will be weather dependent. PSOs will have an average of 6-12 hours of work per day. This position is expected to start June 4, 2026, and for approximately 2 weeks.

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:

  • Philadelphia, PA

Contact:

If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please visit our Careers Page 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 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

See more open positions at A.I.S. Inc.