Archipelago Marine Research Ltd,At Sea Fisheries Observers Jobs in Canada

Fisheries Monitoring Programs

Coastal British Columbia

Position: At Sea Observer
Organization: Archipelago Marine Research Ltd.
Location: Victoria, British
Columbia

Job
Description

Archipelago
Marine Research Ltd. is now seeking hard working, enthusiastic people to work
at sea as Fisheries Observers. While this is a year round employment
opportunity, work levels are seasonal. The pos

ition requires working and living
aboard vessels conducting fishing operations in British Columbia waters.
Fisheries Observer duties include: documenting catch size and composition,
verifying fishing locations, collecting biological samples, monitoring
compliance to fishery regulations, and describing fishing and processing
techniques within a comprehensive trip report.

Working
and Living Conditions

Vessels
range in length from 15 feet to over 100 feet. Working conditions on deck are
typically wet and can be cold. The job may involve heavy lifting. Many of the
vessels operate with three or four crew members. The Observer will be assigned
a bunk in the crew’s quarters, which are usually cramped and may be co-ed.

Training
and Certification

Applicants
will be screened and interviewed through a competitive process. Successful
applicants must then complete a three-week training course. After successful
completion of the course, applicants’ names will be forwarded to the Department
of Fisheries and Oceans for screening and final certification. Applicants must
qualify for “Reliability Status – Level 1” security clearance in order to work
at sea.

Out-of-town
trainees will be provided with accommodation for the duration of the training
course if required.

NOTE:
The Fisheries Act and Fisheries (General) Regulations state that a person who
owns, operates, manages, or is an employee of an enterprise that catches,
cultures, processes or transports fish can not be certified as a Fisheries
Observer.

Deployments
and Work Levels

Observers
are deployed from a number of ports in British Columbia. Deployment periods average
24 days in length with each deployment period being made up of individual
vessel assignments that average six days. Some assignments may extend to over
30 days. When in port between assignments, observers will stay in a company
port house.

Personal
and Professional Development

Observing
represents a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to expand
their knowledge of fisheries management while travelling coast wide. Former
observers have gone on to work with the Canadian Coast Guard, Fisheries and
Oceans Canada and as registered professional biologists.

Responsibilities

Documenting
all fishing activity, including catch size and composition
Verifying
fishing locations
Collecting
biological samples including otoliths and hatchery-reared salmon
Monitoring
compliance to fishery regulations
Describing
fishing and processing techniques in comprehensive trip reports
Occasional
reporting of sightings to the B.C. Cetacean Sightings Network

Qualifications

Successful
applicants must have:

Experience
at sea and not be prone to motion sickness
Completed
at least one year of post-secondary education in a related discipline
Experience
accurately recording data (at sea preferred)
Excellent
written and verbal communication skills
Excellent
math skills
A
demonstrated ability to work long hours under adverse conditions and
without supervision
A
VHF Marine “Restricted Operator’s Certificate (Maritime).” Arrangements
can be made to obtain this certification during the three-week training
program.
Canadian
citizenship or permanent resident/landed immigrant status with five years
of residency. Birth certificates will be required of all applicants.
The
ability to travel freely to and from the USA
No
ownership or employment stake in a commercial fishing or processing
operation
An
ability to meet the Government of Canada’s security clearance guidelines
for “Enhanced Reliability – Level 1”
A
willingness to consent to a credit check and a criminal record check
(applicants’ fingerprints will be collected as part of the security
clearance process)

Note: All selected
applicants must participate in and successfully complete a three-week training
course in order to receive fisheries observer certification. The start date for
our next course is scheduled for January 2, 2017.

Preference
will be given to applicants who have some experience working at sea and who are
familiar with marine fish identification.

Salary
Range: