SEFSC Platform Removal Observer
Platform Removal Observer – Galveston, TX
A.I.S., Inc, (AIS) a Professional and Technical Marine Science Service Company is currently hiring personnel for its Platform Removal Observer Program. Observers for this program based in Galveston, TX will be responsible for monitoring activity during offshore oil platform removal. The objectives of the Platform Removal Observer Program are to protect sea turtles and marine mammals from impacts of underwater explosives used in the platform removal process and to assess the impacts of underwater explosives on these protected species. To meet these objectives federal regulations require the use of National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) approved observers to perform biological monitoring at the explosive removal of oil and gas structures in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In that year, the Platform Removal Observer Program was initiated to meet this requirement.
During these projects observer’s role is to:
- Document sightings of sea turtles and marine mammals both before and after detonations.
- Recommend delays in detonating explosives when sea turtles and marine mammals are present.
- Record the condition of observed marine wildlife.
- Coordinate retrieval of impacted animals for medical examination, rehabilitation, and necropsy.
Galveston, TX. Laboratory:
Platform Removal Observers: The Galveston Laboratory supports an observer program designed to minimize the impacts to sea turtles and marine mammals of underwater explosives used during the removal of offshore oil and gas platforms. Observers conduct surface and aerial surveys prior to detonation of explosives to detect the presence of marine protected species within a predetermined impact zone around the detonation site. Observers perform visual monitoring for sea turtles and marine mammals at explosive removal of oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico primarily off Louisiana and Texas. Observations are made from vessels, barges, oil platforms, and small aircraft, primarily helicopters. Record keeping, trip report preparation, data collection, data entry and data proofing are also required. Duration of offshore trips averages approximately 3-7 days. Much longer trips may occur. Approximately 95% of work is offshore where observer lives aboard vessels, barges, and platforms. Travel by car, boat, plane, and helicopter is required.
Responsibilities:
- After attending a 2-3 week paid training course in Galveston, TX, observers are deployed from ports throughout the Gulf of Mexico , primarily Louisiana and Texas.
- Applicants must be currently living, or be willing to live, near Galveston, TX area.
- Work at sea collecting and recording data for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFCS) aboard from vessels, barges, oil platforms, and small aircraft, primarily helicopter.
- Position is intermittent with no set daily working hours. Observers are “on call” for offshore work. Incumbent only works when offshore platform removals occur. Majority of work occurs from June through November.
- During offshore trips, incumbent generally works one 12 hour shift each day (sometimes longer). Overtime is paid for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.
- This is a challenging job and candidates must be physically able to handle heavy lifting, working odd hours, long days in rough seas and inclement weather often under harsh living conditions is required.
- Candidate must be mature, self-starter, who works well with others and requires minimal supervision. Experience living and working aboard vessels at sea is useful.
Observing provides an excellent start to a career in marine biology, as observers are widely recognized as being excellent field biologists.
Compensation: Observers will be paid an hourly rate starting at $16.27 for Fisheries Observer I and total compensation will vary depending on employee’s availability and fishing effort. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits. Health and welfare compensation at an additional $4.48 per hour is available in lieu of medical benefits.
Potential additional compensation consists of performance incentives, service awards, fitness center reimbursement, referral bonus, monthly sea day accomplishment bonus.
Travel is reimbursed at an hourly rate along with compensation for miles accrued on a personal vehicle as well as per diem at the specified Government rate.
Qualifications: Observer candidates must have:
1 ) a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in one of the natural sciences and a minimum of 30 semester hours or equivalent in the biological sciences
2) at least one undergraduate course in math or statistics
3) experience with data entry on computers. All relevant course work must have been performed at a level acceptable for credit at the candidate’s academic institution. Observer candidates must be U.S. citizens, or be legally authorized to work in the U.S. Candidates must be physically able, as determined by a licensed physician’s certification, to perform observers duties.
4) valid driver’s license
5) Pass Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (“dunker” training)/Sea Survival classroom & pool training
6)Must have physical attributes conducive to working at sea aboard large and small vessels and barges including but not limited to: performing offshore transfers using swing lines and personnel baskets, performing vessel to vessel transfers, traversing steep stairways and walkways aboard rolling vessels, performing visual surveys of the sea surface from altitudes up to 700 ft.
To Apply: If you would like to apply, submit the required information: resume, cover letter, at least 5 professional references (name, email address and phone number), and unofficial copies of your college transcripts. All documents must be submitted in order for your application to be considered.
Must be able to work in the U.S. • VEVRAA Federal Contractor • Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals • 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.