Biological Observers Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Now Hiring:Groundfish Observer Position:

• Training running from October 6th through October 22nd, 2026.
• Full time at sea employment to begin immediately upon completion of training.
• Application documents required: Resume, College Transcript to include degree award and Cover Letter.
• Open port assignments include New Bedford, MA, Boston, MA and Gloucester, MA.

NEED A CHALLENGING, BUT REWARDING CAREER?

Fathom Resources may just have the job for you

Fathoms Research Department Specializes in:

Marine and fisheries 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 completes work in:

• Fisheries Observer programs for the NMFS Groundfish and Atlantic Sea Scallop Programs
• Marine Mammal/Protected Species/Endangered Species Biologist Observers for construction and dredging projects
• Dockside Monitoring & Sampling of catch from commercial fishing vessels
• Electronic Monitoring Program
• Scientific and Commercial dive projects
• and More!

We are Currently Hiring Fisheries Observer Positions:

Fisheries Observers work as the only scientist on board a commercial fishing vessel. Vessels average 70 feet in length operating in ocean waters up to 200 miles offshore in all weather conditions. Trips lengths range from 7 to 15 days in length and are dependent on individual trips fishing effort. Trips require observers to live in cramped quarters in close proximity to vessel crew while at sea. 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

Open Position:

Fathom is currently hiring Marine Fisheries Biologists for At-sea work in the Groundfish Observer Programs. Approved candidates will attend a 2.5 week paid National Marine Fisheries Services led training. Training is fully in-person taking place in Falmouth, MA. Training includes paid training wage, provided lodging at no cost to trainee and paid meal per diem for the duration of training. New hires are to have their own lodging set up within 50 miles or closer to their assigned port no later than by the end of training.

Open port assignments include New Bedford, MA, Boston, MA and Gloucester, MA.

Marine Fisheries Biologist 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 certification;
• 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
• Tread water for 3 minutes
• Don a survival suit in 60 seconds or less
• Climb a ladder
• Lift 50+ lbs. and drag 200 lbs.
• Ability to live in confined quarters
• Not susceptible to chronic or debilitating motion 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 your own reliable vehicle
• Must be able to work independently
• Must be willing to sign a contract for no less than 12 months

Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Sea and research experience
• Experience with data entry on computers

Interested applicants should provide:

• Cover letter (specific to sea experience, field work, species identification, and/or research projects);
• Resume
• Three (3) professional references contact information;
• Unofficial college transcripts with degree award noted