Are you passionate about sustainable seafood and the marine environment? Want to help look after our ocean resources? Excited about an adventure on the ocean? Archipelago is seeking hard working and motivated individuals to work with commercial fishers and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) biologists to conduct fisheries research surveys. Additional work opportunity exists with field work for dockside fisheries monitoring, marine habitat surveys and environmental monitoring projects depending on qualifications and availability.
What kind of work can you expect?
You will be trained to:
• Document fisheries research fishing event information for each survey location fished.
• Identify all fish and invertebrate species captured to the lowest possible taxonomic level during fisheries research surveys.
• Collect biological samples from fish captured during research survey fishing events according to protocols developed by DFO and Archipelago.
• Document descriptive information about each survey and any interesting biological observations made in a comprehensive report.
• Enter fishing event information, catch data and biological data into a fisheries research database.
• Fisheries research survey trips are typically seven (7) to forty (40) days in duration. Multiple shorter trips can occur consecutively over a period of twenty (20) to thirty (30) days. During this time survey staff are on the water and away from port during this time.
• Fisheries research surveys typically depart from Ucluelet, Port Hardy, Nanaimo or Victoria and transportation to the departure port will be coordinated by project management staff.
What do we offer?
• Health Spending Account after 3 months of employment.
• RSP matching for long term employees.
• Group health and dental benefits plan for long term employees.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Performance and Success Sharing Program for long term employees.
• A commitment to sustainability and the environment within all our operations.
• Staff funding programs for local and global non-profits.
• Experience in species identification and biological sampling of commercially important fish of BC.
• Experience in field sample and data collection and reporting for fisheries resource monitoring.
• Experience in supervision, inventory management, staffing, logistics and coordination.
• Beautiful oceanside views.
What do you offer?
• A great attitude with strong communication skills.
• Experience working at sea and a lack of susceptibility to motion sickness.
• Completed at least one year of post-secondary education in a related discipline – including current students and recent graduates majoring in marine biology, resource management, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental science, and environmental technology.
• Experience accurately recording data (at sea preferred).
• Experience performing simple dissections.
• Experience with species identification.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent math skills (experience with accounting an asset).
• A demonstrated ability to work long hours under adverse conditions and without supervision.
• Domestic Vessel Safety training (formerly MED A1/A2) and Occupational First Aid Level 1 certification will be considered assets.
• No employment or ownership stake in a commercial fishing or processing operation.
• A willingness to consent to a criminal record check.
• Computer savvy and comfortable using applications on phone, computer, and tablet.
• The job is physically demanding, and applicants should be capable of lifting baskets of fish (50+ pounds) and climbing ladders up to 25 feet to board fishing vessels.
Terms of Employment
• Wages range from $262 to $295 per day while working at sea commensurate with experience. Seaday wages are inclusive of vacation and subject to additional overtime pay.
• An additional $25 per day is provided to staff in a lead role on research survey assignments.
• Travel expenses, meals and accommodations are provided during travel to and from assignments within coastal British Columbia.
• We anticipate fisheries research survey work to occur between mid-July and the end of November 2022 with additional field work opportunities thereafter.
• All successful candidates will need to provide a criminal record check.
At Archipelago, the health and safety of our staff, clients and communities are a priority. All offers of employment are contingent on the candidate providing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the date of hire.
Note: Interviews may be conducted throughout the posting period and the position may be filled prior to the closing date.