NEED A CHALLENGING, BUT REWARDING CAREER? Not for the faint of heart that’s sure!
Fathom Resources may just have the job for you, if you’re up for it!
Fathom’s Research Department Specializes in:
Data collection services, for use by scientists and industry members for the management of commercial fisheries and marine environments. Department staff include fisheries biologists, marine mammal experts and professional observers. Fathom is an approved provider for:
- Observer services for the Industry Funded Scallop Program
- Observer services for the Industry Funded Groundfish At-Sea Monitoring Program
- Endangered Species Observers for construction and dredging projects
- Electronic Monitoring Programs
Observers deploy on vessels ranging from 30′ to 100′, operating in ocean waters 3-200 miles offshore in all weather conditions. Trips range from 5 to 14 days long. Trips require observers to live in cramped quarters in close proximity to vessel crew while at sea. Observers are directed by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries Sampling Branch located in Falmouth, MA. Observers are responsible for the accurate recording and collection of:
- Vessel and trip statistics
- Port departure and landing times,
- Trip economic costs
- Fishing gear characteristics
- Haul information (location, target species)
- Catch (species composition, weight, disposition reason, discard information…)
- Biological samples (length frequency, otoliths, scales, vertebrae)
- Protected species information and specialized sampling
Fathom is currently hiring Industry Funded Scallop Observers and At-sea Monitor positions throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coastal regions. Approved candidates will attend a 3 week training in Falmouth, MA, which includes paid training and provided no-cost lodging and per diem for the duration of training.
Fathom has multiple trainings held throughout each calendar year completing rolling recruitment. Please contact us with any questions on upcoming training dates. Office@fathomresources.com
Requirements specific to Observing:
Candidates must possess:
- A good attitude with the desire to get your hands dirty;
- Bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the biological sciences from an accredited four-year college or university;
- At least 30 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics entomology, animal husbandry, physics or mathematics, of which at least six (6) semester hours are in marine science or fisheries.
- One year of specialized experience, performed at an acceptable level, may be substituted for the six semester hours of marine science or fisheries course work. The specialized experience must have been in the field of fisheries and included functions such as: a. observing ocean fishing activities; b. recording data for marine mammal sighting and fishing activities; c. tallying incidental takes of marine mammals, sea turtles and sea birds on fishing vessels; or d. collecting biological specimens from postmortem animals. The education requirement may be waived, on an individual basis, with approval by NMFS;
- CPR certification by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association;
- Basic First Aid;
- Candidates must not have been terminated or decertified as an observer, due to problems with data quality or standards of conduct, in any other NMFS observer program;
- Be certified to be physically fit to work as an observer including:
- Ability to swim 50 yards (think water job!)
- Tread water for 3 minutes (water job!)
- Don a survival suit in 60 seconds or less (how to survive a water job!)
- Climb a ladder (must go up and down)
- Lift 50+ lbs. and drag 200 lbs. (you pick things up you put things down)
- Ability to live in confined quarters (small little bunks)
- Not susceptible to chronic or debilitating motion sickness (or figure out how to get down with the sickness)
- Be able to tolerate stress
- Be able to appreciate the unusual ‘office’ view
- Must be willing to travel, which mean you’ll need a valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation
- Must be able to work independently (no hand holding!)
- Must be willing to sign a contract for no less than 12 months
Highly Desired Qualifications
- Sea and research experience
- Must not be afraid of fish
- Experience with data entry on computers
- A sense of humor
Citizenship
Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, or a non-citizen who has legally resided in the United States continuously for at least the past 2 years.
Interested applicants should provide:
- Cover letter (specific to sea experience, field work, species identification, and/or research projects);
- Resume
- Three (3) professional references;
- Unofficial college transcripts. (transcript is required for consideration)